Dr. DNA Dan - A Genetics & Genomics Podcast - Ancient Artifacts Inside Your DNA

Ancient Artifacts Inside Your DNA

11/01/24 • 10 min

Dr. DNA Dan - A Genetics & Genomics Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Dan Handley takes us into the fascinating world of proteins—those powerhouse molecules that do the heavy lifting in our bodies. While the human genome contains about 20,000 protein-coding genes, these genes produce over 100,000 different proteins, thanks to nature's incredible complexities. Dr. Handley breaks down the science behind how our genetic code expands to create such diversity in proteins, revealing the intricate processes that keep our bodies running smoothly.

Tune in each month as DNA Dan dives into the evolving world of genetics, from ancestry and health testing to genetics in mental health and forensics. With over 30 years of experience in genomics, SCU Professor Dan Handley, M.S., Ph.D., brings unique insights into how genetics shapes our lives and the future of precision medicine.

Please visit our website for more information about Southern California University of Health Science's Master of Science Program in Human Genetics & Genomics. https://bit.ly/SCU-DNA_Dan

Previous Episode

Alternative Splicing - Nature's Mad Scientist

In the last episode on the central dogma of molecular biology, DNA Dan discussed the information flow of DNA, to RNA, to amino acid sequences that make up proteins.
In this episode, Dr. Handley discusses proteins - the work horses of the body, and the extensive roles they play in our bodies. By last known count, there are around 20,000 protein coding genes in the human coding genome that make up and operate the human body. How can these 20,000 genes produce over 100,000 proteins? This is where nature, the mad scientist, comes in.
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Join DNA Dan each month as he dives deep into the world of genetics, genomics, DNA, and the future of precision genomic medicine. Dan discusses health and ancestry genetic testing, forensic genetics, genetics and mental health, common myths about genetics, and more.
DNA Dan, SCU Professor of Genomics, Dan Handley, M.S., Ph.D., shares his knowledge from his over 30 years of experience in the world of advanced genomics research and biotechnology.
Please visit our website for more information about Southern California University of Health Science's Master of Science Program in Human Genetics & Genomics. https://bit.ly/SCU-DNA_Dan

Please visit our website for more information about Southern California University of Health Science's Master of Science Program in Human Genetics & Genomics. https://bit.ly/SCU-DNA_Dan

Next Episode

Repeat DNA and Forensic DNA Analysis

This episode of 'Dr. DNA Dan' hosted by Professor Dan Handley from Southern California University of Health Sciences delves into genetics, specifically focusing on short tandem repeats (STRs).
The podcast explains the significance of STRs in forensic DNA testing and paternity tests by measuring the number of repeated sequences in different individuals' genomes. STRs, found across all human chromosomes, are used to match DNA samples in criminal investigations through the CODIS database maintained by the FBI.
The accuracy and real-world challenges of STR analysis, including potential sample contamination and degradation, are discussed to provide a comprehensive understanding of forensic DNA testing.

Please visit our website for more information about Southern California University of Health Science's Master of Science Program in Human Genetics & Genomics. https://bit.ly/SCU-DNA_Dan

Dr. DNA Dan - A Genetics & Genomics Podcast - Ancient Artifacts Inside Your DNA

Transcript

I’m Dr. Dan Handley, professor of human genetics and genomics at Southern California University of Health Sciences. This is a podcast about all things related to human genetics, genomics, and the future of precision medicine.

In the last episode, I discussed alternative splicing of messenger RNA and how it was nature’s way of making a lot of different proteins from a single gene. I also referred to it as nature’s mad scientist, because when you think about it, it is pretty weird. I