Hacking life: A new code for DNA

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"A new way of using the genetic code has been created,allowing proteins to be made with properties that have never been seen in the natural world. The breakthrough could eventually lead to the creation of new or 'improved' life forms incorporating these new materials into their tissue.

In all existing life forms, the four 'letters' of the genetic code, called nucleotides, are read in triplets, so that every three nucleotides encode a single amino acid.

Not any more."

I find this pretty amazing: now we are 'hacking' life.


Via: New Scientist [Click the link for the full article.]

FoldIt

FoldIt is a game with a useful purpose: trying to figure out how proteins fold. Proteins are made of chains of small molecules called amino acids. Figuring out the shape the chain will fold into is a very difficult problem for scientists to solve, so they invented this game to get people to try it. Make the world a better place while you play!