Healthline Chronicles

Each human cell consists of double-stranded DNA. A single strand of DNA bears specific sequences of four nucleotide bases, namely, adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G). These nucleotide bases remain in a complementary pairing such that A pairs with T and C pairs with G. Specific sequences of these nucleotide bases form genes. A DNA strand comprises millions of nucleotide bases in various combinations to form genes that encode for a specific protein. What is the Central Dogma?  A Central Dogma is an explanation of the flow of Genetic information in a cell, including the replication of the DNA, the transcription of the RNA, and the translation of the RNA to create the Proteins. This concept was first proposed by Francis Crick in 1958.  The Central Dogma can be summarised in three main processes: Replication : The process by which DNA makes a copy of itself during cell division Transcription : The process by which the information in a strand of DNA is copied in...

What is Chimerism? If you recall your high school biology class, you might remember learning two key facts about DNA: first, that it serves as the "code" for all our genes, and second, that each person has a single, unique set of DNA. Otherwise, an individual could have two different blood types, which scientists once believed was impossible. However, high school biology didn’t cover everything. Some people actually do have two sets of DNA in their bodies – a condition known as chimerism. Chimerism, a fascinating and rare biological phenomenon, occurs when an individual possesses two or more distinct sets of DNA. This genetic mosaic can result from the fusion of two embryos, the exchange of cells between twins in the womb, or medical procedures such as organ transplants. The term "chimera" originates, a creature in Greek mythology that's part lioness, part goat, and part snake. This unique condition can manifest in various ways, from subtle differences like vari...