RNA molecules work as a security system at the cellular level

Scientists have a new breakthrough in making RNA molecules that can connect to cells to transmit senses under certain conditions and respond by acting on specific proteins. According to Christina Smolke, biochemical engineer, leader of the team of researchers, working at Stanford University, in California, USA. The findings were published in the journal Science , published on November 26, 2010.

Image for illustrative purposes. (internet source)

Smolke and colleagues created RNA molecules that could connect with cells to transmit senses under certain conditions and respond by acting on specific proteins. This technology can be exploited to create basal cell therapies and anti-cancer treatments.

The group of researchers led by Smolke was the first to integrate all the pieces of RNA into a fully functional system, according to Adam P. Arkin, systems specialist and bio-synthesis at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and University of California, Berkeley, USA. " This is like building the first function of a car ," according to Arkin, who is not involved in the study, but this is really a breakthrough.

The new invention is based on genetic material that is RNA molecules. Smolke and colleagues set up RNA molecules to simulate a security system tuned to be activated when an intruder is present. In this case, RNA molecules detect specific proteins. and then turn on or turn off the reaction process.

In the kidney cell nucleus with a protein that glows fluorescence when RNA molecules detect a protein that is infected by a virus or bacterium. The researchers then reconfigured the system of RNA molecules to destroy the detected cells that contain large numbers of proteins involved in promoting cancer. This is one of the feats described in the new study.

These programs are simply examples of what researchers can do at the future cellular level, Smolke said. Imagine that RNA molecules can be used to reconstruct the cells of animals, plants and fungal cells, used in life. And these technologies can be used to create cholesterol- lowering drugs in the liver after a high-fat meal.

Ho Duy Binh - Library Information Center - Tien Giang University - No. 119, Bac Hamlet, Ward 5, TP. My Tho, Tien Giang province.