Molecular biology is the branch of biology that studies the molecular basis of biological activity in and between cells, including bio-molecular synthesis, modification, mechanisms and interactions. The initial description given to the term “Molecular biology” was: an approach focused on the underpinnings of biological phenomena, revealing and exposing the structures of biological molecules as well as their interactions, and how these interactions could be linked with research conducted on a classical biology scale and be related to observations made in classical biology. William Astbury, an English physicist and a molecular biologist, was the first person to use the term Molecular biology in 1945. He also conducted and observed X-ray diffraction studies of biological molecules.

Bio-molecular synthesis is the process by which cells produce biological molecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins and lipids. It is a complex process that involves multiple types of enzymes and proteins. Enzymes play a vital role in this process. There are 3 major steps; activation of the building blocks of a biological molecule, assembly of the molecule and processing of the molecule. The substances required by biological molecules are first activated by an enzyme cascade. They are converted into a form that can be used by the main step enzymes to synthesize new molecules. Once the main enzyme converts the substances to a product, that product is modified to a final form. This may involve inserting or terminating functional groups using lyases enzymes, or modifying the molecule to a tertiary or quaternary structure if it’s a protein.

Bio-molecular modification is the process by which cells change the function of particular biological molecules by altering its structure. This can occur at any stage during the life cycle of a biological molecule; from its synthesis to its degradation. For instance, a phosphate group (-PO3) may be added or removed from a molecule to make it unstable and easy to break for energy or vice versa. This process is called phosphorylation. Another example is ubiquitination, in which an ubiquitin group is added to a biological molecule; the molecule is usually a protein. An ubiquitin group is a small protein (approximately 76 amino acids long) that can be attached to other proteins. The most common way of attaching this group is through an isopeptide bond between the C-terminal glycine group and the epsilon-amino group of a lysine residue on the target protein. Adding this group affects the function, stability and localization of proteins. Addition of a methyl group (CH3-) in the biological molecule is also a subdivision of modification. Acetylation is also a process that forms part of modification. In this process, an acetyl group (-COCH3) is added to the biological molecule.

Bio-molecular mechanisms include all the molecular processes by which biological molecules interact to result or enhance biological activity. All the processes in the vicinity of these mechanisms are complex and involve a vast range of molecules. Nevertheless there are three steps that all biological mechanisms involve namely; recognition, binding and signal transduction. Recognition includes the ways in which two or more biological molecules recognize each other via mediation of specific binding sites on the molecules. Some examples are enzyme substrate interaction where the substrate binds to the active site of the enzyme. There are also other molecules-for instance, non-competitive inhibitors-that bind to allosteric sites of enzymes. The binding of molecules or antigens to complementary cell surface receptors is also an example of recognition. The binding of molecules occurs through different types of bonds. These bonds may be single or multiple, or ionic or covalent, depending on the type of interaction and molecules. Molecules also form hydrogen bonds between each other. The most common type of bond is covalent when it comes to biological molecules. Once the molecules are bound together, they are able to transmit a signal to other molecules present in the cell. This results in an enzyme cascade or a series of reaction. Whatever the path is, the end result is the same; this signal transduction leads to a change in cell activity.

Bio-molecular interactions include the ways in which molecules interact with each other. These interactions may be weak or strong, specific or non-specific. They are essential for all life as they allow cells to function and communicate with each other. For instance, there are protein-protein interactions in which two or more proteins interact with each other. This is essential for various cellular processes such as transduction, metabolism and cell structure. Moreover, interactions between proteins and nucleic acids such as RNA and DNA are also quite abundant and are termed as protein-nucleic acid interactions. These are vital for processes such as gene expression and DNA replication. The most common type of interaction in this sector is the binding of DNA with histone proteins to keep the genetic code of a eukaryotic cell within a concentrated area. This binding/interaction is specifically what gives the concentrated threadlike shape of chromatin bound inside a nucleus. Moreover, interactions between proteins or cell surface receptors and small molecules such as hormones or drugs are also known to exist (the former being more common), depending on what the target molecule of the drug or hormone is. These interactions usually assist protein-protein interactions and boost a cell’s metabolism. For instance, the hormone insulin, produced by the B-cells of Islet of Langerhans in the pancreas, bind to cell surface receptors of target cells such as liver and muscle cells, and cause uptake of glucose in these cells to increase, where glucose is stored in the form of glycogen. Hence the cell’s metabolism (anabolism to be precise) is boosted. Molecules such as ligands bind to their respective receptors and trigger a signal transduction pathway. Another common example of interaction is between nucleic acids; it is known as nucleic acid-nucleic acid interaction. These types of interactions frequently occur inside a cell, especially during the formation of a DNA strand during the S-phase of a mitotic cycle, or formation of an mRNA molecule during transcription. RNA-RNA interaction occurs during translation, when the codon of an mRNA forms hydrogen bonds with the anticodon present on tRNA molecules, which results in the formation of a peptide bond between successive amino acids, which are bonded to tRNA molecule at the amino-acyl site.

Molecular biology is a rapidly expanding field with an infinite sheet sized potent applications. Some of the most exciting areas of potential future growth are; personalized medicine, gene editing, synthetic biology, and molecular diagnostics. Molecular biology is aiding the development of new vaccines and treatments for infectious diseases too. For instance, research in this field has led to the development of new vaccines for covid-19 and other emerging pathogens.

Molecular biology is being used to develop new personalized medicine that basically tailor treatments to a patient’s genetic makeup. This is also called precision medicine and is an emerging approach to healthcare that uses an individual’s genetic, environmental and lifestyle information to sew prevention and treatment strategies. By using molecular biology, scientists are able to identify the genetic variants and molecular pathways involved in different diseases. This research can be used to develop new drugs and treatments that are specifically linked to the individual’s genetic makeup. This strategy and the research associated with it has led to the development of new targeted therapies for cancer. These therapies target specific genes or proteins that are involved in cancer cell growth and survival. As a result, targeted therapies are comparatively effective and have fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy. New diagnostic tests and prevention strategies are also in development. Using molecular biology and conducting research has led to the development of genetic tests that can identify individuals at high risk for developing a certain diseases such as cancer or Alzheimer’s disease. These tests can aid in the development of personalized prevention plans for patients. Using personalized medicine strategy, the outcomes and end result of a patient’s treatment can be improved and health costs can be minimized. These mentioned strategies are being used for cancer treatment, genetic testing and medication management.

Gene editing is a technique that allows scientists to make precise changes to DNA. Gene editing technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9 have revolutionized the field of molecular biology and have the potential to cure genetic diseases such as sickle cell anemia, and develop new crop varieties with desirable traits such as resistance to pests and diseases, higher yields and/or improved nutritional value. CRISPR-Cas9 is a gene editing system that uses a naturally occurring protein called Cas9 to make precise cuts in the DNA of a cell. Scientists can then insert, delete or replace specific genes at the cute site. This is a powerful tool that can be used to edit DNA in a variety of organisms. Gene editing is being used to create and develop new biofuels and bioproducts from renewable resources. New therapies for cancer are also being developed by using gene editing. The genes that aid the development and survival of cancerous cells are deleted.

Synthetic biology is the field of designing and building new biological systems. Synthetic biologists use engineering principles to design and create new biological functions and systems that do not exist in nature. Synthetic biology has the potential to create new drugs, vaccines, biofuels and other useful products. Development of new drugs and vaccines is a dominant and promising area of synthetic biology. Biologists are designing and building new types of drugs and vaccines that are more effective and less toxic than traditional treatments. For instance, synthetic biologists have developed new vaccines for malaria. Vaccines of HIV/AIDS are currently in clinical trials. Synthetic biology is also being utilized to develop new biofuels. Biofuels are renewable fuels that are produced from plant or animal materials. New types of biofuels that are more efficient and less expensive to produce are currently in development by biologists. For instance, new types of biofuels from algae and bacteria have recently been developed. Additionally, synthetic biology is also being used to develop new products in fields such as agriculture, food production, and environmental remediation. New ways to clean up oil spills and other environmental pollutants are being developed by synthetic biologists.

Molecular diagnostics is a rapidly growing field that uses molecular biology techniques to detect and diagnose diseases. Molecular diagnostic tests can be used to identify genetic mutations, infectious agents and other biomarkers of disease. These tests are often more sensitive and specific than traditional diagnostic tests. This means that they can detect diseases earlier and with higher precision. Moreover, these tests can be used to monitor the progression of a disease and to predict a patient’s response to a particular treatment. Molecular diagnostics has a major impact on the way diseases are diagnosed and treated. For instance, molecular diagnostic tests are now being conducted and used to diagnose cancer and to determine the type and stage of cancer. Using the information provided by these tests, personalized treatment plans for cancer patients could be prescribed and planned. Moreover, these type of tests are also being used to diagnose a wide range of infectious diseases such as covid-19, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. With the aid of these tests, infected individuals can be identified early and hence the spread of this disease can be diminished and prevented. Screening of pregnant women to look out for genetic disorders in their fetuses are also being conducted. These tests come under molecular diagnostic tests. By conducting these tests, decisions about pregnancy and childbirth can be made. Some of the key factors that hold molecular diagnostic tests at an upper step than traditional tests include early detection, accuracy, personalization and prevention.

While molecular biology has its perks, there are many challenges, concerns, limitations and considerations when it comes to molecular biology. One of the key challenge is technical challenges. Molecular biology research relies on a wide range of specialized equipment and techniques. These techniques can be complex and time-consuming to learn, and implementing them can be expensive and non-feasible in developing countries. Another hurdle faced by molecular biologists include data analysis challenges. Molecular biology experiments often generate large amounts of data, which can be challenging to interpret and analyze. Researchers need to have a strong understanding of statistics and bioinformatics in order to make sense of their data. Talking about finance and feasibility, molecular biology research can be expensive. Researchers need to compete for funding from government agencies and private foundations. This can be a challenge, especially for early career researchers. Molecular biology has the potential to be used for both good and evil. For instance, molecular biology research has led to the development of new drugs and vaccines, but adversely, it has also been used to develop new weapons and biological warfare agents. Researchers need to be aware of the ethical implications of their work and ensure that it is used for the benefit of society.

The main concern when it comes to gene editing technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9 is that yes they have the potential to cure genetic diseases, but they also raise concerns about the potential for unintended consequences, such as off-target effects and the creation of new diseases. Moreover, using biomolecular biology, new bioweapons can be created and the synthetic organisms made using synthetic biology may have a negative impact on the environment. Privacy related problems are the most important concerns when it comes to molecular biology. Molecular biology research data can potently generate sensitive genetic data that could be used to discriminate against individuals or groups of people. It is important to have a strong privacy of individuals who participate in molecular biology research. Stephen Hawking, a theoretical physicist and a prominent figure in research stated,” We need to be careful about the potential dangers of molecular biology. We don’t want to create monsters.” Moreover, James Watson, a molecular biologist and geneticist who is best known for his role in the discovery of the structure of DNA said,” The most important ethical issue in molecular biology is the potential for misuse of the technology.” Elizabeth Blackburn, another biomolecular biologist and Nobel laureate who is best known for her work on telomeres and telomerase has stated,” The power of molecular biology is immense, and it is important to use it responsibly. We need to be aware of the potential for unintended consequences, and we need to make sure that the benefits of this technology outweigh the risks.”

Out of the limitations in molecular biology, one of the key factors is that our understanding of biology is still incomplete. Despite the tremendous progress that has been made in molecular biology, the human mind can’t interpret how exactly organisms work. This is part of our limitation and for now, we have to bear it. This limits our ability to develop new treatments for diseases and to advance in creating new biological technologies. Moreover, molecular biology research programs can be expensive to conduct, due to the advanced technology and machinery required. Hence the number of people who can conduct research and be funded in this field are limited. This is one of the key factors due to which advancement in molecular biology is not as much as compared to advancement in biotechnology and genetic engineering. Unawareness is also a factor. In many developing countries, people are unaware that a field by the name of molecular biology even exists. Very few opportunities are seen to be provided to pursue molecular biology to a doctorate level. Molecular biology research can be time consuming. Experiments or research activities conducted in this sector take months or even years to get into a shape or get into a somewhat completed form. This limits the speed at which scientists can develop new treatments for diseases and biological technologies.

When it comes to considerations before conducting an experiment or research, regardless of whatever field it is, it is important to consider the ethical implications of the research and engage the public in it. Ethical considerations include considering the potential for unintended consequences, the potential of harm to individuals or the environment, and of course the potential of misusing a molecular biologist’s research work. Furthermore, it is important to engage the public in discussions about the research work about to be initiated. If an ongoing research work exists, then it is important to maintain the popularity of that research work by continuously engaging the public to discuss about the research work. In other words, engaging and involving the public in a research work is not a “one time thing”; once started, that flow and discussion should be maintained. There are many ways in which this could be done; social media is the greatest way and a hidden gem for this, if used properly that is. One post about the progress of the research work every alternate day is sufficient to maintain popularity. This also helps in promoting a research work and may possibly help in it getting funded, if it’s not. This will also ensure the public understands the potential benefits AND risks of a research work or experiment. It also ensures that the research work is being conducted in a transparent, responsible and ethical manner.

Many people consider biotechnology or genetic engineering above molecular biology because it is generally thought and believed that these fields have a larger scope and opportunities than microbiology or molecular biology, when that’s not true. People forget the fact that it’s an individual’s work and competency that sets a bar or scope; the degree is just a verification pass that helps you get to an interview panel. It’s an individual’s practical experience and ability to evolve the field to a higher level that matters and is considered. Molecular biology is a powerful tool with the competency to solve many of the world’s most intriguing and pressing problems. It can revolutionize medicine, agriculture, and industry. Molecular biology is helping us understand life in a better way and is aiding the development of new, advanced technology that can improve human health and well-being. Besides these pros and benefits, it is important to use this tool wisely. We need to be aware and put into consideration the risks of this technology before conducting any research. Nevertheless, we should support molecular biology research, advocate for responsible and ethical use of this asset, and promote this hidden gem of a field!