Problem
Topic I
Primers are required for DNA synthesis in cells and by people doing PCR or DNA sequencing. Describe the nature of such primers (DNA or RNA) and the details of their design relative to template DNA when being used by people for cloning a specific piece of DNA into a plasmid or virus. Also describe details of the primers and templates when being used for Illumina-based, sequencing-by-synthesis, short-read, deep sequencing of DNA for metagenomic analysis or RNA for transcript profiling of skin cells before and after exposure to damaging levels of ultraviolet light.
Topic II
About 40% of the human genome is made up of retrotransposon DNA. Describe the two major classes of retrotransposon DNA and for each class, describe the mechanism of retrotransposition. Not just germline retrotransposition can occur, but it is estimated that at least 6 out of 10 brain cells have a novel retrotransposition event that occurred during brain development. Describe the typical chromosomal location and functional consequences of such somatic retrotransposition events.