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'Dark matter' of DNA
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I'm a big fan of studying/reading about our DNA and how it works...still just a beginner in understanding it, but I ran across an interesting article on Science Daily today.
Scientists Shed Light On the 'Dark Matter' of DNA
[link to www.sciencedaily.com]
"In each cell, thousands of regulatory regions control which genes are active at any time. Scientists at the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Vienna have developed a method that reliably detects these regions and measures their activity...
However, genes make up only a minority of the entire genome sequence -- roughly two percent in humans. The remainder was once dismissed as "junk," mostly because its function remained elusive. "Dark matter" might be more appropriate, but gradually light is being shed on this part of the genome, too."
I'm really glad this part of our DNA is being studied. While they probably do not let much information out about the metaphysical side of our DNA and hyperabilities, at least they are taking it one step further to study what was once considered "junk".
I have a feeling this part of our DNA holds all kinds of keys to understanding our past...and potentially our future!
For more reading:
Bits of Mystery DNA, Far From ‘Junk,’ Play Crucial Role
[link to www.nytimes.com]
'Junk DNA’ and the mystery of mankind’s missing genes
[link to www.telegraph.co.uk]
"It turns out that as much as a fifth of the 98 per cent of our DNA that falls into this category is instead made up, among other things, of “switches” – bits of DNA that turn some genes on and others off. It is now believed that, in order to get to grips with genetic illnesses such as hereditary heart disease, some forms of diabetes and Crohn’s Disease, we need to understand these regulatory elements as much as the genes themselves."
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