Scientists were able to capture the replicating of our DNA on video for the first time and it changes the way we think about the entire process. The most surprising finding is how randomly the process really is. This undermines a great deal of what is written down in textbooks.
The first step of DNA replicating always sees the double helix splitting into two strands and each of them becomes the template for a new strand. At the end of the process emerge two new DNA molecules. Researchers found out that the pace with which the DNA replicates differs from strand to strand. One of them works at a continuous pace while the other one stops from time to time and then starts up again at random speeds.
There exists no coordination between the strands, they work completely autonomous. This new finding also raises new questions. There seems to be a “dead man´s switch” as scientists call it that kicks in to stop the DNA helix from splitting too far and to minimise mutations. But how does the switch know when to take over if the strands work independently? Maybe these findings will help us understand the human DNA a bit better but it definitely tells us there is a lot more we still don’t know.
to capture (ˈkæptʃəʳ) – einfangen, hier: festhalten
to replicate (ˈreplɪkeɪt) – etwas nachbilden
entire (ɪnˈtaɪəʳ) – ganz, vollständig, gesamt
randomly (ˈrændəmli) – zufällig, wahllos
to undermine (ˈʌndəʳmaɪn) – etwas untergraben, in Frage stellen
double helix (ˈdʌbl̩ ˈhi:lɪks) – die Doppelhelix (biol.)
strand (strænd) – hier: der Faden, der Strang
each (i:tʃ) – jede (r,s)
template (ˈtempleɪt) – die Schablone, das Muster
pace (peɪs) – das Tempo
to differ (ˈdɪfəʳ) – sich unterscheiden
continuous (kənˈtɪnjuəs) – dauernd, ununterbrochen
autonomous (ɔ:ˈtɒnəməs) – selbstständig
to raise (reɪz) – hier: eine Frage stellen, aufwerfen
dead man´s switch (ded mæn swɪtʃ) – der Totmannschalter, die Sicherheitsfahrschaltung
to kick in (kɪk) – anlaufen, Wirkung zeigen
independently (ˌɪndɪˈpendəntli) – unabhängig