An edifying review of the parallels between two important 20th century discoveries - that DNA is the molecule that encodes hereditary information, and that a protein is the infective agent in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Opposition to these notions centered around the idea that an unrecognized element must be responsible for the apparent biological activities of the macromolecules; ironically, that DNA is contaminated by a protein, or that prion protein is contaminated by a nucleic acid. The resistance generated by these revolutionary concepts steadily weakened in the face of burgeoning experimental evidence, but in yet another irony, just as the last "proteins as genes" holdouts faded from the scientific scene, evidence began to emerge that some proteins can, indeed, encode and transmit biological information. The review also touches on the role of criticism in the evolution of new concepts, to wit: Skepticism is most valuable to science when it is generated by an open mind.
Comments
Emory University
An edifying review of the parallels between two important 20th century discoveries - that DNA is the molecule that encodes hereditary information, and that a protein is the infective agent in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Opposition to these notions centered around the idea that an unrecognized element must be responsible for the apparent biological activities of the macromolecules; ironically, that DNA is contaminated by a protein, or that prion protein is contaminated by a nucleic acid. The resistance generated by these revolutionary concepts steadily weakened in the face of burgeoning experimental evidence, but in yet another irony, just as the last "proteins as genes" holdouts faded from the scientific scene, evidence began to emerge that some proteins can, indeed, encode and transmit biological information. The review also touches on the role of criticism in the evolution of new concepts, to wit: Skepticism is most valuable to science when it is generated by an open mind.
Make a Comment
To make a comment you must login or register.