"Protein enzymes are the workhorses of biology" said Dr. Silverman, a researcher at the University of Illinois. He wanted to find a way to use DNA in a more wide range of applications. Currently proteins have a major role in the body and are used to catalyze reactions. It is very difficult to remove a phosphate from DNA without the help of an enzyme.If the enzyme is not available the reaction may take thousands of years to happen. The researchers at the University of Illinois have found an artificial DNA catalyst that can remove the phosphate from DNA. Demonstrating that DNA can catalyze such difficult reactions is an important step forward in designing and using DNA catalysts in a variety of other applications.
Nature of Science Themes
Science is Collaborative- There were multiple researchers at the University of Illinois that conducted the study.
Role of Motivation and Curiosity- Dr. Silverman wanted to find how DNA can be used to catalyze reactions.
Science is based on Evidence- The researchers showed that the DNA catalyzed the reaction.
Link: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/257927.php
This is a very cool topic. it would be great if we could find an artificial catalyst. Another Nature of Science Themes that I found were the role of motivation and curiosity because they have to be curious to figure an artificial catalyst. the other theme I found was the role of credibility because this experiment would not be taken and published if it was not from a credible source. Finding an artificial catalyst would be very helpful because we would be able to make new sequences of DNA without needing to have a natural place to start. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130319124231.htm
ReplyDeleteAnother NOS that I would have included was importance of repeatability because the scientists had repeated their experiment over and over to come across the same conclusion rather than coming to a conclusion at the get-go.
ReplyDelete