Life is more than a computer running DNA software

作     者：Frantiek Baluka Guenther Witzany 

作者机构：IZMB University of Bonn Telos-Philosophische Praxis 

出 版 物：《World Journal of Biological Chemistry》 (世界生物化学杂志（英文版）（电子版）)

年 卷 期：2014年第5卷第3期

页      面：275-278页

学科分类：0710[理学-生物学] 071010[理学-生物化学与分子生物学] 081704[工学-应用化学] 07[理学] 08[工学] 0817[工学-化学工程与技术] 

主　　题：DNA Genome Information Life Non-coding RNA Synthetic biology Virus 

摘      要：In his recent interview for the Guardian Craig Venter is elaborating about a household appliance for the future, Digital Biological Converter(DBC). Current prototype, which can produce DNA, is a box attached to the computer which receives DNA sequences over the internet to synthesize DNA; later in future also viruses, proteins, and living cells. This would help the household members to produce, e.g., insulin, virus vaccines or phages that fight antibiotic resistant bacteria. In more distant future, Craig Venter s hope is that the DBC will generate living cells via so-called Universal Recipient Cell. This platform will allow digitally transformed genomes, downloaded from the internet, to form new cells fitted for the particular needs such as therapeutics, food, fuel or cleaning water. In contrast to this, the authors propose that DNA sequences of genomes do not represent 1:1 depictions of unequivocal coding structures such as genes. In light of the variety of epigenetic markings, DNA can store a multitude of further meanings hidden under the superficial grammar of nucleic acid sequences.