Molecular biology and medicine: a review of developments

The human genome-sequencing project was completed in April 2003, in the same year that marks the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the double helical structure of DNA. Much of the knowledge derived from the huge number of discoveries in molecular biology research over the past five decades and the genome project has the potential to be of immense benefit world-wide. Such knowledge is already of widespread application in the developed world and much more potential in the future.

This article briefly reviews the literature of research works on molecular biology in English language and discusses some of the findings and highlights recent developments and future trends.

The advancement in molecular biology presents huge opportunities and potentials for improved health services worldwide. The article also proposes an approach whereby benefits could be reaped from the application of molecular biology techniques and the information derived from the human genome project in sub-Saharan Africa.