Artificial DNA Replicates and 'Evolves'

ananyo writes "Scientists have demonstrated that several lab-made variants of DNA can store and transmit information much like the genuine article. DNA is made up of nucleic acid bases — labelled A, C, G and T — on a backbone made of phosphates and the sugar deoxyribose. The artificial polymers, dubbed XNAs, carry the normal genetic 'alphabet' on a backbone made using different sugars. The researchers engineered enzymes that transcribed DNA into the various XNAs, then back into new DNA strands. Faithful genetic transmission over successive DNA-to-XNA cycles allowed researchers to select for only those XNAs that attached to certain target proteins from a pool of random samples — a process akin to evolution over multiple generations (abstract). The research confirms for the first time that replication, heredity and evolution can take place in artificial DNA-like molecules."

Comments

Re:Info library for the ages stored in organisms?

[amRadioHed]

My codes says "Be sure to drink your ovaltine"

Re:Info library for the ages stored in organisms?

[CanHasDIY]

The code said that we had to overcome the religious superstitions and start venturing into space as a species or risk total annihilation.

Incorrect; the actual message is as follows:

We

Apologize

For

The

Inconvenience