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Story:
American Biologist Wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry for DNA Work, 10/09/06
1. What is the "central dogma" of molecular biology? 2. What is "DNA transcription?" 3. What did Roger Kornberg photograph? 4. Instead of ordinary light, what tool did Kornberg use to make his photographs? 5. What are some medically important applications of Kornberg's work? 6. Who is Roger Kornberg's father, and what award did he receive in 1959? 7. Name two other families in which multiple members have won Nobel Prizes? Discussion Activity (more research might be needed): 1. Create a diagram that illustrates the process of DNA transcription into messenger RNA, and messenger RNA into proteins. Include information about other molecules that participate in the process, and show where in the cell these processes take place. 2. Research a disease in which DNA transcription plays a role. What is the name of the disease? Describe, on a molecular level, the role that DNA transcription plays in the illness. What are the latest methods that scientists are exploring to fight the disease and how do these fit into the DNA-to-RNA-to-protein chain? What is the outlook for a cure? 3. Would you like to spend your life looking for cures to diseases? life on other planets? ways to improve the environment? What part of science interests you most? Why? Find a scientist in your community and talk to him or her about his/her career. What would be fulfilling about a career in the sciences? What would be frustrating?
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