DNA, Hybridization, Francis Crick, James Watson, Rosalind Franklin, Robert Southern, Molecular Biology, Genetic Engineering, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), Nucleotides, Restriction Enzymes, Southern Blotting, DNA Probes, Bioinformatics, The Human Genome

DNA is the molecule carrying genetic information. Hybridization involves pairing complementary DNA sequences. Francis Crick and James Watson discovered the DNA double helix structure, while Rosalind Franklin provided crucial images of DNA. Robert Southern developed Southern blotting to detect specific DNA sequences. Molecular biology studies genes and DNA functions, and genetic engineering uses this knowledge to modify genes. PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) amplifies DNA copies rapidly. Nucleotides are DNA building blocks. Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific sites. DNA probes identify particular sequences. Bioinformatics uses computers to analyze genetic data. The Human Genome project mapped all human genes.