Artificial DNA in the Palm of Your Hand!

In a breakthrough to better understand the course of evolution, scientists have succeeded in creating artificial DNA. On a different note, the number of erroneous results in DNA testing is also on the rise.

The DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, in living cells contains all the genetic instructions for the structure and activities of the body, which are passed down from generation to generation. With every generation’s new experiences, and through adaptation to the environment and the process of evolution, this “information repository” keeps changing. In this way, the path of human evolutionary history is etched.

According to a recent study by British scientists, if life exists anywhere else in this universe beyond Earth, evolution will exist there too. However, the chemical makeup of that life may not be familiar to us as it is on this planet. The research article, published in the journal “Science,” says that their work with artificial DNA may pave the way for future advancements in “synthetic biology.”

Researchers Philipp Holliger and his colleagues at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Britain have created six artificial molecules similar to DNA and RNA, which they’ve named Xeno Nucleic Acids, or XNAs. They have also created the necessary environment for XNAs to behave during cell division the way DNA splits and transmits genetic information from the mother cell to the offspring.

At the final stage of this long and complex research, Holliger’s team observed that even after replication, the genetic information had successfully transferred in the new copy of the XNAs. Philipp Holliger noted that this research demonstrates that two major features of life—genetic inheritance and evolution—can be achieved by polymers other than DNA or RNA.

These British researchers no longer see any reason to think that the specific chemical structure through which life has evolved on Earth is absolutely essential for the existence of life itself. However, they maintain that evolution will still be necessary for the development of such life. It’s not hard to grasp the point: for life to evolve, it has to follow some process of evolution! That’s the method we know so far.

That covers what we know about genetic evolution and related research on new forms of DNA. Now let’s move on to another essential aspect of DNA. We all know that DNA is a crucial tool in forensic science. The invention of DNA testing has solved many problems in identifying criminals. Yet, it appears there are significant flaws hidden in the process. In recent times, the US intelligence agency FBI itself has mistakenly convicted several suspects after inaccurate DNA testing, or has failed to identify the real perpetrator. Once this came to light, the authorities became concerned. Science can present us with discoveries, but it’s humans who are responsible for their proper use!

Amar Desh / Science & Computer : 01/05/2012