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Full Description
Alan Herbert has played a leading part in discovering the biological roles for a high-energy form of DNA twisted to the left rather than to the right. Both Z-DNA and the Z-RNA sensing proteins are critical for protecting hosts against both viruses and cancers. The proteins also play critical roles in the programmed cell death of aging cells. Other types of flipons exist and alter the readout of transcripts from the genome, encoding genetic information by their shape rather than by their sequence. Many of these flipons are within repeat elements that were previously considered to be just genomic junk. Instead these genetic elements increase the adaptability of cells by flipping DNA conformation. By acting as digital switches, the different flipon types can alter cellular responses without any change to their sequence or any damage to DNA. These highly dynamic structures enable the rapid evolution of multicellular organisms. The junk DNA in repeats also encode peptide patches that enable the assembly of cellular machines. The intransitive logic involved enhances the chance of an individual surviving a constantly changing environment.
Key Features
Causes us to rethink how information is encoded in the genome
Changes our understanding of how our genome evolved and how we protect ourselves against viruses and cancers while sparing normal cells
Shows that high energy forms of DNA, such as left-handed DNA do exist inside the cell
Accessible to those in academia and the general public, and speaks to the next generation, encouraging them to find their own path in scientific discovery
The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative License (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license.
Contents
Preface
Part I
Chapter 1 The Dawn
Chapter 2 Even smart people are sometimes wrong
Chapter 3: Coming to America
Chapter 4 From One Unknown to Another
Chapter 5: Failing successfully everywhere else. The in-between years.
Chapter 6: How do you know it's you? The answer lies in your Z-RNA
Chapter 7: Can left-handed Z-DNA and Z-RNA kill you?
Chapter 8: Does Z-DNA regulate transcription?
Chapter 9: Luck and the Business of Science
Part II
Chapter 10: What about other types of flipons?
Chapter 11: Is your genome soft-wired?
Chapter 12: How do you assemble a soft-wired genome?
Chapter 13: How do you program a soft-wired genome?
Chapter 14. Is life intransitive?
Chapter 15: Are RNA therapeutics the wave of the future?
Epilogue: Why have a career in science?
