#dna #data #adenine #internet #tech

Currently, many are accustomed to invasive cancer diagnostic methods such as endoscopies, colonoscopies, and mammograms. Driven by the desire to discover new methods, a group of researchers from the American Cancer Society developed an alternative method, which is a significant contribution to cancer detection.

Utilizing CRISPR gene editing as their approach, the group of ACS researchers developed an easy-to-use mechanism for detecting small amounts of cancer in plasma. CRISPR gene editing is a method that scientists and researchers have been using to modify an organism’s DNA. CRISPR gene editing is often done for numerous reasons, such as adding or removing genetic material, creating immune defense systems, and repairing DNA. Their detection method also allows healthcare professionals in diagnostics to decipher between malignant and benign cancer-related molecules that they may discover.

CRISPR Gene-Editing

The first step that the researchers made to develop this approach was to design a CRISPR system that creates a manufactured exosome out of two reporter molecule fragments, which they cut. An exosome is a small vesicle that carries material such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids after branching out from a host cell. Exosomes are typically involved in detecting cancerous cells because they provide a glimpse into the host cell they branched out from. Therefore, cancerous cells are shown in their exosomes through biomarkers, like micro RNAs (miRNA). In AP Biology class, microRNAs are described as materials that bind to complementary mRNAs to prevent the translation from occurring. MiRNAs are a recent discovery, identified in 1993. It is now concluded that most gene expression is influenced by them, so the researchers made efficient use of miRNA in their experiment. The two fragments of the reporter molecule came together and interacted with the CRISPR’s materials.

Micro RNA Sequence

The researchers concluded that if the targeted miRNA sequence was evident in the combination, the CRISPR system they made would become activated and cut apart the reporter molecule. The researchers specifically targeted miRNA-21, which is often involved in cancer development. The researchers were able to detect miRNA within a combination of similar sequences and later tested their method on a group of healthy exosomes and cancerous exosomes. Their CRISPR system successfully differentiated between the healthy and cancerous exosomes, which makes this system effective for cancer detection. The researchers are confident that their CRISPR gene editing approach to cancer detection will make diagnosis easier on patients and a more efficient process overall.

DNA is often referred to as “storing genetic code” or “data”. Information of sorts. While this is true, it is a bit different from data when referring to it in layman’s terms; data is often associated with the internet and computers. However, the line creating this barrier of difference is becoming very blurred. A study at the Beckman Institute of Science and Technology claims that DNA and its double helical structure can be used to store anything; including virtual media.

Though DNA is microscopic in size, its ability to store information is colossal. According to Kasra Tabatabaei, a researcher who helped conduct the study, “Only one gram of DNA would be sufficient” to store the several petabytes of data that are created from the internet each day. To say that this is staggering would be terribly understated. Furthermore, DNA is quite durable. It has a longevity to it that is rivaled by few other mechanisms on the planet. The material can last for thousands of years without severe damage to its ability to store information as it’s supposed to. There is also little competition with DNA when it comes to abundance. Due to the fact that there is DNA present within each living thing, there is quite a lot, to say the least. This makes it a very sustainable source of storage, as the odds that there will be a shortage is extremely unlikely.

Of course DNA has a large capacity but it seems almost necessary to expand upon it in order for the material to truly be able to slay the informational beast that is the internet. DNA already has 4 naturally occurring chemicals; Adenine,Guanine, cytosine and Thymine, that allow for it to have such capacity. To allow for its capabilities to transcend adequacy, the researchers added seven artificial nucleases. To find which would work, they experimented with “77 different combinations of the 11 nucleotides”. This change expands DNA’s capabilities tremendously, as it opens doors for a much larger range of data that can be stored.

The internet is boundless. Where technology takes the human race next is still largely unknown. However, none of it can be done without data, and the future of data storage may be exactly where it started.

BioQuakes

AP Biology class blog for discussing current research in Biology

Tag: #dna #data #adenine #internet #tech

Cancer Detection Using CRISPR Gene Editing

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