Molecular biology

Definition

The branch of biology concerned with the molecular mechanisms underlying biological activity, particularly the structure, function, and interactions of nucleic acids and proteins within and between cells. It encompasses the processes of DNA replication, transcription, translation, and the regulation of gene expression, integrating principles from genetics, biochemistry, and increasingly bioinformatics.

Etymology

Example

Molecular biology techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing allow entomologists to disrupt specific genes in mosquitoes, revealing the genetic basis of Plasmodium parasite susceptibility and informing novel vector control strategies.

Related Terms

• genetics
• biochemistry
• Genomics
• transcriptomics
• Proteomics
• PCR
• CRISPR
• Gene expression
• DNA barcoding
• Phylogenetics

Usage Notes

Often distinguished from classical genetics by its focus on the physical and chemical properties of molecules rather than inheritance patterns alone; in arthropod research, the term typically implies laboratory-based nucleic acid or protein work rather than field or behavioral studies. Frequently appears in compound phrases (e.g., molecular biology techniques, molecular biology approaches) when describing methods applied to taxonomic, ecological, or physiological questions.