Biotechnology research seeks to develop applications of molecular biology. Many sources use analogies to recipe books or blueprints to explain the role of DNA and genes in molecular biology. Ultimately, these analogies obscure the importance of topics such as regulation of gene expression, which is fundamentally important to appreciate in order to understand molecular biology. When applying one's knowledge of biotechnology fundamentals, most metaphors fail.

It is only by understanding molecular biology and biotechnology applications that one can appreciate the applications and limitations of techniques used in molecular biology.

This chapter presents a brief, analogy-free, introduction to molecular biology. Subsequent chapters describe the tools, techniques, and applications of biotechnology and provide greater details on the potential and limitations of molecular biology.

The central dogma of molecular biology describes the flow of information in living organisms. In order to understand the basis of most biotechnology applications, it is necessary to first understand the central dogma.

	The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology Genetic information is contained in DNA and leads to the formation of proteins through an intermediate called mRNA.