DNA analsysis microscopy leads to different discoveries of life’s blueprint as well as the development of many of life’s areas such as human identification, genetics, medicine, and forensics.

The world of science, in general, and forensics, in particular, has never been the same with the introduction and development of DNA analysis. It has solved crimes, it identified criminals, it settled unsolved mysteries, and it answered numerous questions about life. With DNA analysis microscopy, however, DNA profiling has taken one notch higher—and things have got a lot better.

There are many types of DNA analysis, and each uses a microscope to carefully study, research, and evaluate even the minutest organisms.

Human Identification

In DNA profiling, a small sample or flake of your skin, hair along with its roots, or body fluids is taken from someone. Through a process called PCR (polymerase chain reaction), which helps amplify DNA, DNA experts may now create DNA fingerprints even from one trillionth portion of a gram of anybody’s DNA.

A DNA fingerprint is considered a profile of an individual’s acquired DNA variations, particularly repeated sequences. It was in 1984 that Alec Jeffreys was able to produce the ever-first fingerprint of DNA. Regardless of what evolution DNA fingerprinting may undergo, it will still be based on these repeated sequences.

Genes and Medicines

DNA analysis plays an integral part in discovering, understanding, and finding cure for a variety of sickness. Let’s take the story of Mary-Claire King. It was in 1974 that she began working in a laboratory in San Francisco. Her goal was to research and hopefully find the most effective way to end breast cancer by discovering the breast cancer gene. Her efforts for so many years paid off when in 1990, she found the landmark that can help her in fixing the position of the gene located on a chromosome: chromosome 17. Thus, with her own and another competing team, they’re in a tight race in trying to find and clone this gene, which now calls as BRCA1. Latest news proclaimed that they have found the strongest candidate for BRCA1, which they referred to as BRCA2.

Scientists use a process called pedigree. It’s normally a chart that helps people tell of all recognized phenotypes of a particular organism as well as its ancestors. As research states, breast cancer is known to be hereditary. Knowing your ancestors and how they’ve lived and died may be one step into preventing the development of breast cancer in future generations.

DNA analysis also paved the way of various drug designs in order to prevent the development of diseases such as chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). It was in late 1990s that Brian Burke and some of his friends put into practice their knowledge on molecular basis for CML to create a drug they called STI-571. This drug, which is now famously called as Gleevec, targets BCR-ABL, an abnormal protein that promotes overproduction of cells that later leads to leukemia. With proper DNA analysis and knowledge, they’ve learned to destroy such protein to prevent leukemia—with just a single pill.

Forensic Biology

Forensic biology is a branch of forensic science that deals with DNA analysis. They’ve discovered that DNA-based evidence can be one of the strongest tools they can use in solving crimes as it can pin a suspect to a crime scene or relate him to the victim. DNA studies begin through a sample, which can be in the form of saliva, semen, blood, hair, or a skin flake. Teeth and bone are also excellent pieces to investigate especially of those long-decomposed bodies.

Forensic biology examiners usually examine items under investigation for any presence of biological matter. After the appropriate samples intended for comparison are attained with the use of a comparison microscope, they can now begin DNA analysis, which may lead to conclusions as to the elimination or inclusion of the person in question to the crime later. Should no suspects be identified, they can turn their attention to the DNA data bank to look for possible matches from a database of convicted offenders and arrestees.

The Comparison Microscope

DNA analysis, however, wouldn’t come of age without one powerful tool: the comparison microscope. This is actually a microscope made of two microscopes joined by an optical bridge so you can view two specimens at the same time. They are normally used for trace evidence. DNA samples such as hair, skin, blood stains, semen, and fingerprints are compared to determine if both belong or share the same origin.

Life is a very big mystery. But with DNA analysis microscopy, it wouldn’t be long until all secrets will be unraveled.