Artificial protein able to sustain life

Posted on Sunday, 9 January, 2011 | Comment icon

Image credit: PD - BZiL

By Hissie Sola, Staff News Writer
Scientists have created a synthetic protein that enables growth of living cells.

A team of Princeton University researchers accomplished the task of creating artificial genetic sequences that are able to sustain life in cells. This groundbreaking achievement shows a great leap forward in the area of synthetic biology. The work shows that the molecular components for life are not limited to what already exists in nature.

One of the goals of synthetic biology, the creation of an entirely artificial genome, may now be within reach, according to Princeton professor Micheal Hecht. Fully functioning artificial components could possibly one day replace faulty or inactive natural proteins that would otherwise cause diseases such as Alzheimer's.

The team of researchers created genetic sequences never before seen in nature, and the scientists showed that they can produce substances that sustain life in cells almost as readily as proteins produced by nature's own toolkit.

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Source: Science Daily

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Recent comments on this story

#7 Posted by Copasetic on 9 January, 2011, 21:49

You made the claim it would be impossible to create life. I'm asking you to support said claim with evidence. Can you define "genetic information" in your own words?

#8 Posted by crystal sage on 10 January, 2011, 13:45

It probably would be just as healthy for you as artificial vitamins and GMO foods... I was going to say.. that new Quorn looks good as it is based on a mushroom.. but is it??? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quorn

#9 Posted by user107026 on 10 January, 2011, 14:47

look in the dictonary under genetic then look up information and combine the two lol

#10 Posted by jaguarsky on 10 January, 2011, 15:11

Soylent green anyone?

#11 Posted by Copasetic on 10 January, 2011, 22:55

So no is your answer?

#12 Posted by crystal sage on 11 January, 2011, 1:25

..Actually the Quorn tastes quite good.. like a lighter version of chicken.. http://keetsa.com/blog/eco-friendly/quorn-mince-for-lasagnas/ I do recall reading a while ago that they were able to grow meat in a petri dish.. and were thinking of adding it to our meat supply like mince.. they also found a way to fuse meat offcuts into whole roasts.. I am beginning to wonder about some of those marinated roasts you can buy in the supermarkets.. they taste quite dodgey... . Makers of cold cuts exposed for using 'meat glue' http://www.thelocal.de/national/20100413-26521.html ... [More]

#13 Posted by crystal sage on 11 January, 2011, 1:57

Similar research ??? ... ??? A foreign protein that would enter the body.. that can hold oxygen.. and what else later ??? ... and not be detected by the immune system so can't be expelled by the body.. ???? A trojan of sorts??? http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/22359/

#14 Posted by crystal sage on 11 January, 2011, 14:41

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tissue_transglutaminase

#15 Posted by Copasetic on 11 January, 2011, 17:12

How are the free online classes going Crystal? If you were doing them, maybe you could provide us with the answers to your questions......

#16 Posted by UltraThunderMan on 12 January, 2011, 5:02

So...what can they do with this stuff? How does it benefit people?

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