Contigs are contiguous segments of DNA that can be studied to understand the order of segments in various sequences. Contig mapping can help identify disease-causing alignments and clone favorable characteristics in living organisms. Contigs can be replicated or cloned in desirable sequences, and researchers can analyze contig sequences in plant species to understand their unique sequencing. Cloned DNA samples can be grown in different media and sequenced to obtain contigs.
A contig, short for contiguous, refers to a segment of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or the product of overlapping segments that form a continuous, extended, unbroken DNA sequence. By studying the maps of these segments, the order of segments comprising various sequences can be discovered, and contigs can be added, removed, or rearranged to form new sequences. DNA contig mapping and libraries allow researchers to identify alignments that could cause disease, provide a better understanding of how cells react under certain conditions, and enable the ability to clone favorable characteristics in living organisms.
Genomic contigs are linked to each other by overlapping sets of matching sequence tags or matching expressed sequence tags. By understanding this construction process used by the bases of DNA segments, contigs can replicate or clone themselves in desirable sequences, adding or deleting less favorable segments. Researchers see these sequences as maps to highly detailed, computerized programs of DNA. The program provides a visual breakdown of the bases used to build segments and the segments used to build particular sequences. Using different color schemes, various contig programs display this information as low-, medium-, and high-quality sequences.
Contig mapping often sheds light on the causes of genetic diseases. Williams syndrome, for example, produces multisystem symptoms in children, including cardiovascular problems, high blood calcium levels, and failure to thrive. Researchers have discovered banding deletions affecting some genes, which may be caused by inappropriate overlapping of contigs. Another childhood genetic disorder, cri-du-chat syndrome, also produces multiple symptoms, all of which scientists believe are related to deletions and abnormal positioning.
The researchers also analyze contig sequences in plant species. Each plant contains unique sequencing for that plant, and by obtaining maps of individual plant species, scientists discover similar and variable characteristics that may contribute to the health or deterioration of a particular type of plant. By analyzing contiguous segments and sequences in disease-carrying organisms, clinicians can determine which traits can be used in treatment development. Mapping provides visual information about possible genetic manipulations through deletion of sequences or cloning.
Scientists could grow cloned DNA samples in bacterial artificial chromosomes, yeast artificial chromosomes, or in P1 or phage artificial chromosomal media. These chromosomes contain anywhere from 50 to hundreds of thousands of bases, which make up contiguous segments. After a period of colonization, the samples are extracted with a syringe and placed in a DNA sequencing gel, which is electrophoresed and dried. An autoradiograph reads the sample and takes the sequences. The researchers then scan the fingerprint into an image file, which can later be loaded into a contig program.
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