DNA genius and double Nobel Prize winner Fred Sanger dies aged 95

Re:DNA genius and double Nobel Prize winner Fred Sanger dies... by dekhn on Wednesday November 20, 2013 @12:05PM (#6769244)

The best way to think about life is: RNA is one true source of life activity. Everything else: DNA, proteins, carbohydrates and membranes are just things that RNA decorates itself with to minimize degradation by other RNAs, which are trying their best to cut your RNA into little pieces.

That's why you have to be so careful: life tries very hard to keep the wrong RNAs out.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:DNA genius and double Nobel Prize winner Fred Sanger dies... by hughlomas on Wednesday November 20, 2013 @06:04PM (#6771902)

DNA is the hereditary material, RNA isn't "decorating itself" with DNA.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:DNA genius and double Nobel Prize winner Fred Sanger dies... by dekhn on Wednesday November 20, 2013 @06:57PM (#6772172)

You're taking my use of the term decorating too literally. In the case of DNA I meant that RNA likely began to delegate the heredity function to DNA since it was much polymers were more stable at room temperature and it was less likely to form complex 3D structures.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:DNA genius and double Nobel Prize winner Fred Sanger dies... by drcode on Thursday November 21, 2013 @11:11AM (#6775389)

agreed- DNA is a puppet, RNA is the puppet master.

[ Parent | on HN ]