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Volume 13 Issue 4, April 2018

In vivo decompression of genetic messages

DNA can encode man-made genetic programs that perform specific tasks in live cells. The delivery of a DNA program to a cell is akin to sending a message. Lapique and Benenson show that a DNA message can be compressed like a computer file to reduce its size, and can then be decompressed in a cell after being delivered. The cover is an artist's depiction of the decompression process that requires a site-specific recombinase protein and takes place in the nucleus. The fact that the chemical structure of DNA is also an information carrier is illustrated using the wireframe extrapolation.

See Benenson, Y et al.

Image: Bara Krautz, Science animated. Cover Design: Alex Wing

Editorial

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Thesis

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Research Highlights

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News & Views

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In the Classroom

  • Giacomo Prando explains how his experience as an editor helped him broaden his horizons as a scientist.

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