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Scientists discover double meaning in genetic code
University of Washington ^ | 12/12/2013 | University of Washington

Posted on 12/13/2013 8:59:54 AM PST by aimhigh

Scientists have discovered a second code hiding within DNA. This second code contains information that changes how scientists read the instructions contained in DNA and interpret mutations to make sense of health and disease.

UW scientists were stunned to discover that genomes use the genetic code to write two separate languages. One describes how proteins are made, and the other instructs the cell on how genes are controlled. One language is written on top of the other, which is why the second language remained hidden for so long.

The genetic code uses a 64-letter alphabet called codons. The UW team discovered that some codons, which they called duons, can have two meanings, one related to protein sequence, and one related to gene control.

(Excerpt) Read more at washington.edu ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: dna; genetics
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To: aimhigh

the layers of the onion of life keep getting deeper

and with each advent of men saying “now we know”

in a spec of time what they know changes again

and they repeat their worn refrain “now we know”

which they never ever fully will

what is the greatest asset a human scientist can have?

humility towards the ignorance we constantly prove ourselves to have


61 posted on 12/13/2013 10:23:06 AM PST by Wuli
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To: Wuli

They are convinced they can understand everything in the universe and yet a single discovery throws them on their ear time after time.


62 posted on 12/13/2013 10:27:49 AM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: aimhigh

Thanks for posting this. I appreciate posts like this and related posts.

I do have to say that after reading the abstract, I see what they are talking about and the article is an overhyped piece of empty rhetoric.

It’s not that big a deal and the supposed breakthrough is well known. The author tries to coin a phrase, a duon, which is unnecessary and silly and obsolete at it’s inception.

But, it is solid good work that characterizes the genome and specificities of function of the chromosomal DNA. I wish there wasn’t such hype associated with basic research that adds to overall understanding, and provides solid information, in a field

It is part of the ENCODE Project which in my opinion is important and interesting and I can’t speak highly enough regarding it’s potential goal in moving forth the understandings of the molecular aspects of life.

Here’s the abstract from the recent Science article:

_____

Genomes contain both a genetic code specifying amino acids and a regulatory code specifying transcription factor (TF) recognition sequences. We used genomic deoxyribonuclease I footprinting to map nucleotide resolution TF occupancy across the human exome in 81 diverse cell types. We found that ~15% of human codons are dual-use codons (“duons”) that simultaneously specify both amino acids and TF recognition sites. Duons are highly conserved and have shaped protein evolution, and TF-imposed constraint appears to be a major driver of codon usage bias. Conversely, the regulatory code has been selectively depleted of TFs that recognize stop codons. More than 17% of single-nucleotide variants within duons directly alter TF binding. Pervasive dual encoding of amino acid and regulatory information appears to be a fundamental feature of genome evolution.


63 posted on 12/13/2013 10:29:07 AM PST by ifinnegan
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To: Dr. Thorne
If you have an infinite number of monkeys with an infinite number of typewriters they will make an infinite mess.


64 posted on 12/13/2013 10:29:23 AM PST by Oatka (This is America. Assimilate or evaporate.)
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To: FreedomOfExpression
If scientists have it all figured out, then why are they still doing work and making discoveries?

And why do so many FReepers attempt to use those new discoveries against science?

65 posted on 12/13/2013 10:29:49 AM PST by Moonman62 (The US has become a government with a country, rather than a country with a government.)
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To: driftdiver

From what I’ve seen of the scientific world, and up front I’m not a part of it, just about any new or revolutionary idea will turn a percentage of the scientists in that field against you. Some of the scientists get very indignant about it too.

I still say, it takes more faith in science to believe in evolution as the origination of humanity, than it does faith to believe in intelligent design.


66 posted on 12/13/2013 10:32:46 AM PST by DoughtyOne (Zero = zero)
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To: lepton
Lol. What’s that picture from?

A recent remake of The Day of the Triffids.

67 posted on 12/13/2013 10:35:39 AM PST by Alex Murphy ("the defacto Leader of the FR Calvinist Protestant Brigades")
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To: Flick Lives

“The genetic code uses a 64-letter alphabet called codons.”

Thanks for culling out this sentence from the article.

It’s a great example of why these articles need to be taken with a grain of salt. The above sentence is totally wrong.

These articles are written by scientifically illiterate journalism or communications majors in PR offices.


68 posted on 12/13/2013 10:38:41 AM PST by ifinnegan
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To: aimhigh

Sprang up from a mudpile and a lighting bolt, dontcha know?


69 posted on 12/13/2013 10:41:31 AM PST by winodog
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To: driftdiver

“They are convinced they can understand everything in the universe and yet a single discovery throws them on their ear time after time.”

It is the nature of the meetingh of the ultimate unphathomableness of Creation and the arrogance of the human ego.

Every time science opens a new window of knowledge humans look and see we have acquired new questions we did not before then know we needed to ask.

Until the next new window is exposed, too many humans start thinking we have “final answers” to too many things we never will have final answers to.


70 posted on 12/13/2013 10:43:26 AM PST by Wuli
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To: circlecity

“...all the genetic information which ever has or ever will exist has been there from the beginning”.

Interesting hypothesis.

But not all that clear. What do you mean by this?

And how does it fit in or be testable with the subject of the post: that DNA that codes also acts as recognition sites for regulatory molecules?


71 posted on 12/13/2013 10:45:50 AM PST by ifinnegan
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To: FreedomOfExpression

Excellent observation.

“but the general attitude that science has it figured out is there.”

Too true. It’s boyish.

And worse, it is the antithesis of science.


72 posted on 12/13/2013 10:56:35 AM PST by ifinnegan
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To: ifinnegan
"What do you mean by this? And how does it fit in or be testable with the subject of the post: that DNA that codes also acts as recognition sites for regulatory molecules?"

What I mean is that genetic information is not "created" by random mutation. The information is always out there ready to emerge as necessary to insure the survival of the "kinds" of life created by the Creator. I was not addressing the mechanics dealt with by the article but responding to an issue raised (ie. theistic evolution) by another poster. The specifics of the article merely confirm that we have merely scratched the surfact of how DNA and genetic information works and we still have much to learn. Interesting that nobody talks about "junk" DNA anymore. "Junk" ended up being just a term used to describe stuff we hadn't figured out yet. Just like "dark energy" is used in cosmological terms.

73 posted on 12/13/2013 10:56:41 AM PST by circlecity
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To: Wuli
Is it an offense against the All Mighty to keep trying?

Every time science opens a new window of knowledge humans look and see we have acquired new questions we did not before then know we needed to ask.

74 posted on 12/13/2013 10:56:45 AM PST by DManA
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To: winodog

“Sprang up from a mudpile and a lighting bolt...”

What’s funny is that is (or was) the scientific explanation.

Sounds a lot like a religious one.


75 posted on 12/13/2013 11:00:43 AM PST by ifinnegan
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To: cuban leaf

“It’s when you get into how it really works that the whole concept really breaks down.”

I have found the exact opposite to be true.


76 posted on 12/13/2013 11:03:58 AM PST by Fuzz
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To: Fuzz

Can you expand on that?

It would be edifying to many, I think.


77 posted on 12/13/2013 11:06:02 AM PST by ifinnegan
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To: circlecity

Thanks.


78 posted on 12/13/2013 11:08:47 AM PST by ifinnegan
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To: ifinnegan
Don't question it.
79 posted on 12/13/2013 11:10:50 AM PST by DManA
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To: Dr. Thorne

Infinite is so large that they would also create perfect order and perfect roast chicken. So big is infinity that an infinite mess would be considered perfection at some point.


80 posted on 12/13/2013 11:12:16 AM PST by Fuzz
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