2nd September, 2020

Science of Living System

BS20001 (2-0-0)

Dibyendu Samanta
School of Bio Science
Email: dibyendu.samanta@iitkgp.ac.in
Tel: 03222-260295
 Why Living System?

Characteristics of a Living System !!

• High degree of complexity.

• Mechanisms for sensing and responding to

alterations in surroundings.

• Capacity for precise self-replication and self-

assembly.

• Systems for extracting, transforming and using

energy from the environment.

• Ability to evolve.
 Why Living System?
Invention of Velcro®: inspired by Cockleburs

Cockleburs

Georges de Mestral invented Velcro®:

Unique, two-sided fastener, one side with stiff
hooks like the burs and the other side with soft
loops like the fabric. a combination of the
words velour and crochet.
Why Living System?
Why Living System?
https://web-assets.domo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/17_domo_data-never-sleeps-5-01.png
Digital DNA: Future storage device for
world’s data !!
 Digital DNA: Future storage device for
world’s data !!

Microsoft Corporation – DNA Storage Research

A DNA-Based Archival Storage System Bornholt J, et. al. ASPLOS 2016
(International Conference on Architectural Support for Programming Languages and
Operating Systems)
Lecture Date Topic

1 02/09/2020 Nucleic acids

2 09/09/2020 Nucleic acids

3 16/09/2020 Transcription & Translation

4 23/09/2020 Transcription & Translation

5 30/09/2020 Proteins
6 07/10/2020 Enzymes

7 14/10/2020 Cellular architecture

8 21/10/2020 Cell division and cell cycle

Virus and human host: The past, present and future

9 28/10/2020

Host defense and vaccines

10 04/11/2020

11 11/11/2020 Genetic Engineering & its impact

** 18/11/2020 ******
Nucleic acids: How is information
stored and maintained
Experiment that Proves DNA is Our Genetic Material
Experiment that Proves DNA is Our Genetic Material
 Nucleic Acid

RNA: Ribonucleic Acid

DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid

DNA: Contains the Instruction for Life
Hoxc8
Flow of Genetic Information: The Central
Dogma of Molecular Biology

DNA RNA Protein

Transcription Translation

Replication

DNA RNA Protein

Polymer of Polymer of Polymer of
nucleotides nucleotides amino acids
 Nucleic Acid
• Nucleic acids are polymers

• Monomer: Nucleotides

Nitrogenous bases
• Purines
• Pyrimidines

Sugar
• Ribose Nucleosides
• Deoxyribose

Phosphates
Nucleotides
 RNA vs DNA
RNA - Ribonucleic Acid (OH)
DNA - Deoxyribonucleic Acid (H)

N-β-glycosyl bond

(Ribose)

Ester Bond
Two Types of Nitrogenous Bases
Purine and Pyrimidine Bases
Nucleotide = Nucleoside + Phosphate
(Nucleoside = Sugar + Base)
Nucleotide = Nucleoside + Phosphate
(Nucleoside = Sugar + Base)
Phosphodiester Linkages in the Covalent Backbone
of Nucleic Acid

3′ end 3′ end
RNA is Less Stable than DNA
 Discovering the Structure of DNA
• Structure was discovered in 1953 by James
Watson and Francis Crick
• Awarded Nobel Prize in 1962

X-ray Diffraction
Pattern of DNA

The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the

Structure of DNA - By James D Watson
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid
Watson-Crick Model for the
Structure of DNA
 Reversible Denaturation and
Annealing (Renaturation) of DNA
Heat Denaturation of DNA
http://bcs.whfreeman.com/lehninger5e/