Designing Nanostructures at the Interface between Biomedical and Physical Systems Conference Focus Group Summaries (2005) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
Build a Synthetic Self-Replicator
Build a Synthetic Self-Replicator
Pages 15-22
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 15... ...
Your task is to propose a scientific plan for the design and creation of a simplified synthetic self-replicating nanomachine, using a replication method either completely self-contained, as in a cell, or requiring the use of external machinery, such as by a virus. The Problem All cells on earth appear to be built according to the same molecular plan, using evolved molecular self-replication: 15
|
From page 16... ...
· The cell provides the following required infrastructure: -- The lipid cell membrane serves to define the body of the cell. -- The membrane signaling and transport proteins serve to allow for communication, energy, and raw material transport to and from the external environment.
|
From page 17... ...
Travis, Science News, July 10, 2004 166:26-28. FOCUS GROUP SUMMARY Summary written by: Kevin Bullis, Graduate Student, Science Writing Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
|
From page 18... ...
M Keck Foundation · Alan Porter, Evaluation Coordinating Consultant, The National Academies Keck Futures Initiative, Georgia Institute of Technology · Suzie Pun, Assistant Professor, Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington · Meera Sitharam, Associate Professor, Department of Computer and Information Science and Engineering, University of Florida · Erik Winfree, Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Computation Neural Systems, California Institute of Technology · Bernard Yurke, Optical Physics Research Department, Bell Labs Summary Focus Group 2 met to discuss how scientists might develop synthetic self-replicators, devices that can make copies of themselves.
|
From page 19... ...
Autocatalytic reactions produce chemicals that in turn increase the reaction. For example, if hit with a source of energy, like gamma rays, formaldehyde makes glycoaldehyde.
|
From page 20... ...
David Bartel of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has developed an RNA-based RNA polymerase, that is, a form of RNA that can copy RNA. If this polymerase could make a copy of its own RNA sequence, it would be a self-replicator.
|
From page 21... ...
Even more functions may be found if the so-called RNA world hypothesis is correct. According to Nobel Prize for Chemistry winner Sidney Altman, in the primitive earth RNA both stored genetic information and performed, "the full range of catalytic roles necessary in a very primitive self-replicating system." If scientists are able to synthesize an RNA-based self-replicator, it may confirm this hypothesis and give us a better understanding of how life could have begun and evolved.
|
From page 22... ...
22 DESIGNING NANOSTRUCTURES the group proposed that attempts to make self-replicators should be accompanied by critical assessments of safety issues, including consideration of ways to recognize and respond to unforeseen problems. These assessments from the beginning should include discussions between scientists and nonscientists with the goal of self-regulation.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.