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The Gene Is Having an Identity Crisis

gollum123 writes "New large-scale studies of DNA are causing a rethinking of the very nature of genes. A typical gene is no longer conceived of as a single chunk of DNA encoding a single protein. It turns out, for example, that several different proteins may be produced from a single stretch of DNA. Most of the molecules produced from DNA may not even be proteins, but rather RNA. The familiar double helix of DNA no longer has a monopoly on heredity: other molecules clinging to DNA can produce striking differences between two organisms with the same genes — and those molecules can be inherited along with DNA. Scientists have been working on exploring the 98% of the genome not identified as the protein-coding region. One of the biggest of these projects is an effort called the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements, or 'Encode.' And its analysis of only 1% of the genome reveals the genome to be full of genes that are deeply weird, at least by the traditional standard of what a gene is supposed to be and do. The Encode team estimates that the average protein-coding region produces 5.7 different transcripts. Different kinds of cells appear to produce different transcripts from the same gene. And it gets even weirder. Our DNA is studded with millions of proteins and other molecules, which determine which genes can produce transcripts and which cannot. New cells inherit those molecules along with DNA. In other words, heredity can flow through a second channel."

14 of 257 comments (clear)

  1. I Knew It by Nyall · · Score: 5, Funny

    Not only does God code in machine language, but it is all spaghetti. Thats probably why eventually malfunction and die.

    --
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury_nullification
    1. Re:I Knew It by Pichu0102 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Thats probably why eventually malfunction and die.

      Some faster than others, apparently.

    2. Re:I Knew It by Yvan256 · · Score: 4, Funny

      You have it backwards. God doesn't code in spaghetti machine language. The FSM itself coded God.

    3. Re:I Knew It by Repton · · Score: 4, Funny

      Well, what do you expect when you knock off a major project in under a week?

      --
      Repton.
      They say that only an experienced wizard can do the tengu shuffle.
    4. Re:I Knew It by speedingant · · Score: 2, Funny

      Oh no!!! You angered the flying spaghetti monster!! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!!!!

    5. Re:I Knew It by servognome · · Score: 2, Funny

      Death is a feature... please consult your owners manual or contact customer service for more information - God

      --
      D6 63 0D 70 89 81 BB 8E 7B 7C 5F 5D 54 EA AB 73
    6. Re:I Knew It by Mr.+Slippery · · Score: 2, Funny

      But hey, don't let the tenets of MY PERSONAL FAITH get in the way of your petty jokes....

      Well, my personal faith says, "Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke." So, yeah, I won't let the tenets your faith get in the way of my jokes. Priorities, man, priorities. I mean, have you ever even actually READ the Book of The SubGenius?

      --
      Tom Swiss | the infamous tms | my blog
      You cannot wash away blood with blood
  2. Inteligent Design by EEPROMS · · Score: 4, Funny

    Who would have thought God coded DNA using Perl...

    1. Re:Inteligent Design by rrohbeck · · Score: 2, Funny

      Come on, intelligently designed Perl is quite readable.

  3. Re:So, what we REALLY need is . . . by Yvan256 · · Score: 3, Funny

    How long does it take to compute 42?

    Oh wait, we already have 42. What was the question again?

  4. Re:So, what we REALLY need is . . . by jd · · Score: 2, Funny

    How many genes must a geneticist wear out before we call it a gene?

    --
    It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
  5. Re:How many genes does it take to invent a light b by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm sorry to say,
    your genes are a complete mess
    and not poetic.

  6. DMCA Takedown by servognome · · Score: 4, Funny

    RE: NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

    Ladies and Gentlemen:

    We act on behalf of God (the "Owner").

    As required under Sections 512(c)(3) and 512(d)(3) of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. ??512(c)(3) and 512(d)(3)), we are instructed to place you on notice that:

    1. The Owner is the exclusive owner of the copyrights in and to the human DNA, RNA, and all other information contained therein

    2. Decryption of aforementioned encrypted information constitutes an unlawful cicumvention of encryption technology

    Please cease and desist from further decryption of stated copyright information and publication of previously acquired DNA information.

    --
    D6 63 0D 70 89 81 BB 8E 7B 7C 5F 5D 54 EA AB 73
  7. Makes sense by Drakkenmensch · · Score: 2, Funny

    I guess science is coming up with a better explanation every day why your neighbour's youngest boy has the milkman's hair color!