Artificial molecule evolves in the lab
By NEW SCIENTIST
Added: Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:00:00 UTC
UPDATE: Scientists develop first examples of RNA that replicates itself indefinitely
Thanks to Eric for the link.
Reposted from:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16382-artificial-molecule-evolves-in-the-lab.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news
A new molecule that performs the essential function of life – self-replication – could shed light on the origin of all living things.
If that wasn't enough, the laboratory-born ribonucleic acid (RNA) strand evolves in a test tube to double itself ever more swiftly.
"Obviously what we're trying to do is make a biology," says Gerald Joyce, a biochemist at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California. He hopes to imbue his team's molecule with all the fundamental properties of life: self-replication, evolution, and function.
Click here to continue reading:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16382-artificial-molecule-evolves-in-the-lab.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news
Tweet
RELATED CONTENT
Ancient walking mystery deepens
Helen Briggs - BBC News - Science &... 3 Comments
One of the first creatures to step on land could not have walked on four legs, 3D computer models show.
Human Races May Have Biological...
Razib Khan - The Crux - Discover... 89 Comments
Human Races May Have Biological Meaning, But Races Mean Nothing About Humanity
Darwinian Selection Continues to...
- - ScienceDaily 45 Comments
New evidence proves humans are continuing to evolve and that significant natural and sexual selection is still taking place in our species in the modern world.
Where's the Beef? Early Humans Took It
Ann Gibbons - Science - AAAS.org 7 Comments
Cool cats. The skull and jaw of two different species of extinct saber-toothed cats, which lived during the heyday of carnivores 3 million to 3.5 million years ago in the Turkana Basin of Kenya.
Credit: Lars Werdelin/© National Museums of Kenya
Rare Protozoan from Sludge in Norwegian...
- - ScienceDaily 29 Comments
Rare Protozoan from Sludge in Norwegian Lake Does Not Fit On Main Branches of Tree of Life
MORE BY NEW SCIENTIST
New Scientist 142 Comments
Born believers: How your brain creates...
New Scientist 135 Comments
First draft of Neanderthal genome is...
New Scientist 25 Comments
Hatred of slavery drove Darwin to...
New Scientist 19 Comments
New Scientist 37 Comments
Darwin's dangerous idea: Top 10...
New Scientist 27 Comments
RSS Feeds
Comments
Comment RSS Feed
Please sign in or register to comment
View Comments Page