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Cambridge University scientists say they have seen four-stranded DNA at work in human cells for the first time. The famous "molecule of life", which carries our genetic code, is more familiar to us as a double helix. But researchers tell the journal Nature Chemistry that the "quadruple helix" is also present in our cells, and in ways that might possibly relate to cancer. They suggest that control of the structures could provide novel ways to fight the disease. "The existence of these structures may be loaded when the cell has a certain genotype or a certain dysfunctional state," said Prof Shankar Balasubramanian from Cambridge's department of chemistry. "We need to prove that; but if that is the case, targeting them with synthetic molecules could be an interesting way of selectively targeting those cells that have this dysfunction," he told BBC News.
Originally posted by digital01anarchy
I also heard somewhere that we evolved to die and that cancer was the primary reason for this evolution
Originally posted by android
reply to post by AmberLeaf
But the timing of this discovery is interesting being just weeks after the apparent shift.
Most likely means nothing but you never know it might have been found now because it wasn't there before.
Originally posted by robhines
Originally posted by digital01anarchy
I also heard somewhere that we evolved to die and that cancer was the primary reason for this evolution
We evolved just so we could die and cancer is the main reason for evolution? Ok, so what does cancer do when we're all dead then? Is it the next species or something? Can you explain what you mean more please?
Originally posted by android
Cambridge University scientists say they have seen four-stranded DNA at work in human cells for the first time. The famous "molecule of life", which carries our genetic code, is more familiar to us as a double helix. But researchers tell the journal Nature Chemistry that the "quadruple helix" is also present in our cells, and in ways that might possibly relate to cancer. They suggest that control of the structures could provide novel ways to fight the disease. "The existence of these structures may be loaded when the cell has a certain genotype or a certain dysfunctional state," said Prof Shankar Balasubramanian from Cambridge's department of chemistry. "We need to prove that; but if that is the case, targeting them with synthetic molecules could be an interesting way of selectively targeting those cells that have this dysfunction," he told BBC News.
Source
Who knows if its 2012 related but its an fascinating development either way.
Maybe.. maybe...
Originally posted by spearcarrier
Apparently they're talking that the quadruple helix could lead to new ways to fight cancer. Because it was found in cancer cells?
Originally posted by PnezakYahakotima
I don't want scientists touching anyone's DNA, to be honest.
Originally posted by NuclearPaul
Originally posted by spearcarrier
Apparently they're talking that the quadruple helix could lead to new ways to fight cancer. Because it was found in cancer cells?
I think they're trying to trick us into thinking the quadruple helix somehow causes cancer.
And they are going to save us by stopping it...
Originally posted by digital01anarchy
reply to post by android
A HeLa cell /ˈhiːlɑː/, also Hela or hela cell, is a cell type in an immortal cell line used in scientific research. It is the oldest and most commonly used human cell line.[1] The line was derived from cervical cancer cells taken on February 8, 1951[2] from Henrietta Lacks, a patient who eventually died of her cancer on October 4, 1951. The cell line was found to be remarkably durable and prolific as illustrated by its contamination of many other cell lines used in research.[3][4]
YEAH immortality wait noooooooooooooooooooooooooo i dont want to live forever in pain
an interesting fact: there are more of Ms lacks cells alive today then when Ms lacks was alive in 1951, 20 tons actually
I also heard somewhere that we evolved to die and that cancer was the primary reason for this evolution
edit on 21-1-2013 by digital01anarchy because: (no reason given)