THE FARM REVEALED
PROGRAMME 2: DNA SEQUENCING AND ANALYSIS
PROGRAMME OUTLINE
0:00 – 1:00
Introduction and titles.
01:00 – 3:30
Dr Chris Smith introduces the topics of DNA, genes and genetic analysis. Actor John Bonny arrives in the studio in the character of an angry coach driver who has discovered chewing gum on the back seat of his coach. Who is the culprit? He hands the chewing gum to Chris, the DNA detective.
03:30 – 04:35
Chris explains how genetic fingerprints work. He will compare the profile of the DNA left in the gum to DNA taken from five suspects. A match will reveal the culprit.
04:35 – 06:35
Chris uses 'restriction enzymes' or molecular scissors to cut up the DNA samples into sections of varying length. Each sample will end up as a mixture of different length DNA strands. The exact combination of lengths is unique to each individual.
06:35 – 8:43
Chris demonstrates how scientists visualise DNA strands after they have been cut up. This involves 'running a gel' – a process that sorts the DNA strands into different lengths and creates a unique barcode, or genetic fingerprint, for each sample or person.
8:43 – 13:15
Giles Corin visits molecular biologist, Professor Steve Brown. Professor Brown's team studies the effects of genetic mutations on mice. Giles is especially interested in a gene that makes mice into alcoholics.
13:15 – 15:32
Back in the studio, Rufus invites psychologist Dr Marcus Manaf to explain his interest in genes and behaviour. Members of the audience have been tested for a gene variant that might make them more likely to become addicted to smoking.
15:32 – 19:24
Chris finds a match to the chewing gum DNA – the culprit is caught red-handed.
19:24 – 22:30
The results of the audience smoking genetics are inconclusive – some smokers don't have the gene, other non-smokers do. Marcus, who studies the effects of these genes, explains that they are not straight on-off switches, rather they work in combination with other genes and with the environment.
22:30 – 24:00
The programme ends with a studio discussion about DNA profiling and its uses.
