# Biology made simple

> The basic biology behind my research in eight short steps, from DNA to the embryo’s first genes, each with a labelled picture and a short animation.

Source: https://khushisingh.in/explore/
Author: Khushi Singh (khushisingh.in). Licence: CC BY 4.0 for text and original illustrations, unless a credit says otherwise.
Evidence labels used on this site: established, strong evidence, emerging, hypothesis, debated. Where a page has Simple, Curious and Expert versions, all three follow.

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For everyone

The basic biology behind my research, in eight short steps, from DNA to the embryo’s first genes. Each step has a labelled picture and a short animation, and takes about two minutes.

## How genes work

From DNA to protein, and the switches, packaging and messages in between, in every living thing.

1. [1DNA, RNA, proteinEvery living thing stores its instructions in DNA, copies the part it needs into RNA, and reads that copy to build proteins.](https://khushisingh.in/explore/01-dna-rna-protein/)
2. [2Switching genes on: transcription factorsProteins called transcription factors read short DNA switches and decide which genes are copied, in which cells, and when.](https://khushisingh.in/explore/02-switching-genes-on/)
3. [3Chromatin: how DNA is packed and markedDNA is wound on spools of histone proteins. Tags on the spools, added and removed by protein complexes, help decide which genes can be reached.](https://khushisingh.in/explore/03-chromatin/)
4. [4The life of an mRNAAn mRNA is edited, sent to the right place, stored or read, and finally destroyed. Each step is a chance to control the protein it makes.](https://khushisingh.in/explore/04-the-life-of-an-mrna/)
5. [5Making proteins: translationA ribosome reads an mRNA three letters at a time and joins amino acids in that order. The chain folds into a protein whose shape is its job.](https://khushisingh.in/explore/05-making-proteins/)

## Ideas from my research

Three ideas my projects build on.

1. [6Droplets inside cellsSome proteins and RNAs gather into droplets without a membrane, like oil in vinegar. Whether a droplet stays liquid or hardens matters.](https://khushisingh.in/explore/06-droplets-inside-cells/)
2. [7Food for genes: metabolism and histone marksThe molecules a cell makes from its food are also the raw material for tags on histones, so metabolism can change how genes are used.](https://khushisingh.in/explore/07-food-for-genes/)
3. [8The embryo’s first genesEvery animal embryo starts on its mother’s instructions, then switches on its own genes. When this hand-over happens differs between species.](https://khushisingh.in/explore/08-the-embryos-first-genes/)

For scientists: [my research projects →](https://khushisingh.in/research/)