Showing papers by "David Baltimore published in 2023"
TL;DR: In this article , the authors describe the discovery of reverse transcription in RNA viruses, and describe some major implications of their findings in terms of improving or even saving many human lives, which has profound implications in the fields of biology, medicine and biotechnology.
Abstract: Viruses are unique biological systems. They are parasites that use the cells of other organisms, called hosts, to multiply, often causing disease to the host. One of the most interesting features of viruses is that some of them contain RNA as their genetic material—all other known organisms use DNA. In the beginning of my career I worked on RNA viruses, trying to understand their basic behaviors and processes. When I focused on RNA viruses that are known to cause cancer, I discovered that they can make DNA from their RNA genomes, in a process called reverse transcription. That was a great discovery that changed the prevailing way of thinking and had profound implications in the fields of biology, medicine, and biotechnology. In this article, I will tell you about viruses, walk you through the discovery of reverse transcription, and describe some major implications of our findings in terms of improving or even saving many human lives.
TL;DR: Paul Berg, the pioneering biochemist who invented recombinant DNA technology, died on 15 February at age 96 as discussed by the authors , whose work made genetic engineering possible, was a bridge between the traditional world of biochemistry and metabolism and the modern world of molecular biology.
Abstract: Description Father of genetic engineering Paul Berg, the pioneering biochemist who invented recombinant DNA technology, died on 15 February at age 96. Paul, whose work made genetic engineering possible, was a bridge between the traditional world of biochemistry and metabolism and the modern world of molecular biology.