Self-replication of information-bearing nanoscale patterns:”DNA molecules provide what is probably the most iconic example of self-replication—the ability of a system to replicate, or make copies of, itself. In living cells the process is mediated by enzymes and occurs autonomously, with the number of replicas increasing exponentially over time without the need for external manipulation. Self-replication has also been implemented with synthetic systems, including RNA enzymes designed to undergo self-sustained exponential amplification. An exciting next step would be to use self-replication in materials fabrication, which requires robust and general systems capable of copying and amplifying functional materials or structures. Here we report a first development in this direction, using DNA tile motifs that can recognize and bind complementary tiles in a pre-programmed fashion. We first design tile motifs so they form a seven-tile seed sequence; then use the seeds to instruct the formation of a first generation of complementary seven-tile daughter sequences; and finally use the daughters to instruct the formation of seven-tile granddaughter sequences that are identical to the initial seed sequences. Considering that DNA is a functional material that can organize itself and other molecules into useful structures, our findings raise the tantalizing prospect that we may one day be able to realize self-replicating materials with various patterns or useful functions.” http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v478/n7368/full/nature10500.html

Cf.: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111012132651.htm

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Genetic explanation for eusociality

“Are there genes that are unique to the primitively eusocial bees that aren’t found in the highly eusocial bees?” Cameron said. “Or if you lump all the eusocial bees together, are there unique genes that unite those groups compared to the solitaries?”

The analysis did find significant differences in gene sequence between the eusocial and solitary bees. The researchers also saw patterns of genetic change unique to either the highly eusocial or primitively eusocial bees. The frequency and pattern of these changes in gene sequence suggest “signatures of accelerated evolution” specific to each type of eusociality, and to eusociality in general, the researchers reported.

“What we find is that there are some genes that show signatures of selection across the different independent evolutions (of eusocial bees),” Robinson said. “They might be representatives of the ‘gotta have it’ genes if you’re going to evolve eusociality. But others are more lineage-specific.”

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-04/uoia-gso040811.php

Cf. http://www.zotero.org/mazsa/items/collection/HNS2HG7F

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Scientists find a key to maintaining our DNA – Provides new clues in quest to slow aging: “[...] I could see having some sort of therapeutic that helps us live longer and healthier lives in 25 years. [...]” http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-03/uorm-sfa031811.php

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“In the very near future you may be forced to go through a “professional” to get access to your genetic information. [...]” http://www.gnxp.com/wp/2011/03/09/your-genes-your-rights-fdas-jeffrey-shuren-not-a-fan/

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“The Dodecad ancestry project has two goals: 1) To provide detailed ancestry analysis to individuals who have tested with 23andMe; other testing companies may be included in the future. 2) To build samples of individuals for regions of the world (e.g. Greeks, Finns, Albanians, Southern Italians, etc.) currently under-represented in publicly available datasets. [...]

Who is eligible to participate

Due to my inability to process a large number of samples, at present, only the following groups are eligible to participate in the project’s current pilot phase:
Greeks (not necessarily from Greece: Cypriots, Pontic Greeks from the former USSR, North Epirotes, Griko speakers from Italy, Muslim rumca speakers from Turkey, etc. are all accepted)
People from the Balkans
People from Anatolia
People from the Caucasus
Italians
Non-Indo-European speakers from Europe (e.g., Finns, Hungarians, Basques)
Scandinavians and Icelanders
Iranians
Armenians
Jews from Italy, the Balkans, or Anatolia
Assyrians
Arabs
Samples should be received by the end of October 2010.

What you will receive: [...]” http://dodecad.blogspot.com/2010/10/introducing-dodecad-ancestry-project.html

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