Mathematicians find solution to biological building block puzzle

[Jim__]

An excerpt from PHYS.org:

An international team of mathematicians has proposed a new solution to understanding a biological puzzle that has confounded molecular biologists.

They have applied a mathematical model to work out the functioning of small molecules known as microRNAs – components of the body akin to the electronics in modern airplanes.

For a long time molecular biologists thought that the major role of RNA in living cells was to serve as a copy of a gene and a template for producing proteins, major cell building blocks. This belief had been changed at the end of 90s when it was found that myriads of RNA molecules are involved in regulating speeds of practically all molecular mechanisms in a cell. These abundant molecules are essential in regulating the speed of protein production– a vital function in bodily processes, including development, differentiation and cancer.

The problem to date has been that scientists have differed over interpretations of how the production of the major building blocks of a cell, proteins, is controlled by microRNAs.

more...

[patrice]

1. Sounds like business rules for the speed of protein production which affects protein differentiation

and hence protein development.

"The multifunctional model gives dynamic predictions of gene control; it can now be tested to understand the significance of the various mechanisms coexisiting under different conditions. It will be exciting to link this back to the huge range of functions and responses of organisms and understanding miRNA control mechanisms in a systematic and predictive way."

[Speck Tater]

2. They need to genetically engineer some REALLY TINY scientists

who can climb around inside of cells and see what's going on!

Yup! That's the ticket.

[2on2u]

3. I don't see Boardwalk or Park Place, this isn't a game for Rmoney fer sure. n/t