(source: http://www.astbury.leeds.ac.uk/gallery/leedspix.html)

Background on DNA, Restriction Enzymes, and PCR

Restriction Enzymes

This background is interesting, but not really needed to do the assignment. There are some good stories here, but if you want to get to the assignment, you can skip this stuff.

In this assignment you’ll experiment with different implementations of a simulatedrestriction enzyme cutting (or cleaving) a DNA molecule. Three scientists shared the Nobel Prizein 1978 for the discover of restriction enzymes. They’re also an essential part of the process called PCR polymerase chain reaction which is one of the most significant discoveries/inventions in chemistry and for whichKary Mullis won the Nobel Prize in 1993.

Kary Mullis, the inventor of PCR, is an interesting character. To see more about him see this archived copy of a 1992 interview in Omni Magazine, this 1994 interview as part of virus myth, hispersonal website which includes information about his autobiography Dancing Naked in the Mind Field, though you can read this free Nobel autobiography as well.

You can see animations and explanations of both restriction enzymes and PCR at DnaTube andCold Spring Harbor Dolan DNA Learning Center.

The simulation is a simplification of the chemical process, but provides an example of the utility of linked lists in implementing a data structure. The linked list code you’ll write and reason about is an example of a chunk list. You can do more work with chunk lists for extra credit.