The last section concludes by discussing emerging areas for future research. The Problem Defined Mapping and sequencing a genome consists of discovering how biological traits are encoded in the genetic material of an organism. Many biological characteristics can be traced to one or more genes. Sequencing identifies the exact nucleotides that make up a gene. Organisms are made out of cells, and cell behavior is governed by its genetic makeup.
Various chemicals act as agents to activate genes in a process called gene expression .
Transcription uses the DNA as a template to create a mRNA molecule, which is then translated into proteins made up of amino acids. As proteins are formed from the DNA, they spontaneously fold into three dimensional shapes that dictate their chemical function. This process, from encoded gene to expressed gene, frames the problem of deciphering the genome. Scientists want to associate a particular portion of DNA with a particular biological function. By decoding the DNA, they hope to define a unified theory of biology that explains all biological functions.