Scientists Unfold The Second Layer of DNA

Since the 1980’s it has been suggested that we have not just one layer of DNA in our bodies, but two and this hypothesis has now been proved correct by Helmut Schiessel and his team at the Leiden Institute of Physics. 

DNA is packed tightly into our bodies and is passed on from generation to generation during reproduction.  It consists of nucleotides that are linked into chains with alternating phosphate and sugar groups.  DNA contains all the important information an organism needs to develop and survive. 

Initially, when scientists thought we only had one layer of DNA, they also thought that we are who we are based solely on our genetic makeup.  Now, though, since having discovered this second layer of DNA, they conclude that this is not the case.  The results of the studies show that they way in which the DNA folds itself up, controls the way in which certain genes are expressed in our bodies, creating different genetics and different type people.

These mechanical cues are what Helmut and his team went on to investigate.  During their tests, they randomized mechanical cues to strands of DNA in baker’s yeast and fission yeast and imitated the folding up of DNA as it occurs in our bodies.  In completing their studies, the scientists were able to confirm that DNA mutations can have different effects in that the genetic letter sequence for a specific protein can change, or the mechanical structure of the DNA itself can change, affect how the code is read, what is displayed as a result, and the frequency of proteins produced.

Any research and development on the structure of our DNA can only lead to good things.  New discoveries in science and technology are what keeps many of us alive today so keep supporting science.

Source; Leiden Institute of Physics / Research File

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