Dr. DNA Dan - A Genetics & Genomics Podcast

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 a...

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...

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...

In episodes 2, 3 and 4 of this podcast, we've learned that DNA is determined to be the molecule of inheritance, as well as how its structure is determined.  What DNA Dan hasn't yet discussed is what DNA actually does. Or, if DNA is the so called "code of life," how is its code being read? And how is that information put into action? That brings us to the central dogma of molecu...

If you think back to your early years of biology class, you may remember learning about tiny cellular energy factories, called mitochondira. Mitochondria are microscopic powerhouses hiding within most cells and they play a huge role in our health. Damaged mitochondria can lead to a host of health issues. But healthy mitochondria can result in optimal aging. DNA Dan explains more on mitochondria, a...

Over the 1960s through 1980s, more was learned about the structure of chromosomes and the functions of some genes. However, we did not have a comprehensive map of the entire human genome. Learn how molecular biology techniques become more sophisticated, and scientists could start determining the nucleotide sequence of small portions of chromosomes. ------------------------------------------ Join D...

In each nucleus of a human cell, the total length of DNA contained in it is about 6 feet long. Now, the size of a nucleus in a human cell is only 6 microns in width. A micron, otherwise called a micrometer, is 1 one-millionth of a meter. To put this in perspective, the average human hair is about 100 micrometers in diameter, and a grain of salt is 500 micrometers in width, give or take.   So how a...

Today we understand much more detail about the structure of DNA. It turns out that Watson, Crick, Wilkins, Franklin, and the many others involved gave essentially the correct answer about the DNA molecule and how it is structured.  ------------------------------------------ Join DNA Dan each month as he dives deep into the world of genetics, genomics, DNA, and the future of precision genomic medic...

Rosalind Franklin played a pivotal role in the discovery of the structure of DNA. Among scholarly circles, Franklin remains an enigmatic figure and the subject of much controversy. What is not under debate is that she made enormous contributions to science, and she was taken from us much too soon. ------------------------------------------ Join DNA Dan each month as he dives deep into the world of...

Now the race was on to figure out the structure of DNA. It’s a rather complex story involving many different scientists, primarily in the U.S. and England.  ------------------------------------------ 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,...

Since prehistoric times, people have noticed how children tend to resemble their parents and grandparents. People also recognized that some human diseases tended to run in families as well. Learn why this happens and how it was discovered.  What is the substance in cells that carries the heritable trait information? Further, what is the structure of this substance? --------------------------------...

In this episode, part 2 of the discovery of DNA, we come to understand how DNA was first isolated and demonstrated to be the molecule responsible for heritable traits. In the early to mid-19th century, biologists assumed that heritable traits were transmitted by proteins in cells.  ------------------------------------------ Join DNA Dan each month as he dives deep into the world of genetics, genom...

Dr. Handley serves as  Director of the Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genomics degree program at the Southern California University of Health Sciences in Whittier, CA.  He is excited to bring you this podcast on genetics, genomics, and the future of genomic medicine!  Join DNA Dan each month as he dives deep into the world of genetics, genomics, DNA, and the future of precision genomic me...