Researchers Discover If Human DNA Can Be Duplicated And Repaired
JAKARTA – Recent research by scientists from Thomas Jefferson University has proven that RNA segments can be rewritten into DNA.
Launching Slashgear, these findings have the potential to change the view related to biology and will also have an impact on various fields of biology. In addition, the discovery is also claimed to be able to open the door to other research for scientists who understand the importance of the mechanism of changing RNA messages to DNA in human cells.
One of the researchers from the research team, Richard Pomerantz, Ph.D. revealed that human polymerases can be performed with a high degree of efficiency. Of course, this could potentially generate controversy in various circles. Because the findings allow RNA messages that can be used to repair or rewrite a person's genomic DNA.
The investigators also conducted a theta polymerase trial of HIV transcriptase. They found evidence that the polymerase was able to convert RNA messages into DNA and reverse transcriptase from HIV. The test is claimed to be more efficient and causes fewer errors when using the RNA template to write new DNA messages when duplicating DNA.
For information, polymerase is an important enzyme in the process of DNA replication and DNA repair. The researchers used x-ray crystallography to determine its structure. They found the molecule could change shape to accommodate larger RNA molecules.
Dr. Pomerantz states that the team's research proves the main function of polymerases to be able to act as reverse transcription. While the molecule can be used as a means of repairing DNA by means of RNA.
That is, these findings have the potential to make biologists to conduct further research, one of which is the ability to edit DNA for human survival in the future.