The Mechanism of DNA Replication

[agro]

I once read a 1997 physics book. At the end of the 'static electricity' chapter, it explains the mechanism of DNA replication and protein synthesis (in which static electrical force plays a critical role). However, it says something like 'this model has not been seen in action. It is consistent by various experimental evidences and the current accepted physical theories.'

I'm curious about wether our 2004 technology is able to see this in action (in other words, have it been seen in action now)?

Thanks in advance.

 

[hitssquad]

Computer modeling may still be needed to answer questions in quantum chemistry

I once read a 1997 physics book. At the end of the 'static electricity' chapter, it explains the mechanism of DNA replication and protein synthesis (in which static electrical force plays a critical role). However, it says something like 'this model has not been seen in action. It is consistent by various experimental evidences and the current accepted physical theories.'

I'm curious about wether our 2004 technology is able to see this in action (in other words, have it been seen in action now)?

I don't think so, and the reason is that it has only been within the past week or so that researchers have known that DNA becomes more flexible when it is damaged and the way they found out is via computer modeling:

• ...banged up DNA becomes flexible, suggests the most detailed computer model of damaged DNA to date. Further, this flexibility explains how the body's enzymes recognize and fix damaged DNA...
  
  Haranczyk said this was the first quantum chemistry simulation to survey such a large biological system--in this case, a DNA fragment made up of 350 atoms. "With a system so big, one can't do this kind of work without a supercomputer. Fortunately, we had access to one of the world's 10 most powerful computers,"

 

[ravenprp]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge about the mechanism of DNA replication and protein synthesis. It is fascinating to think that static electrical force plays a critical role in these processes. As for your question about whether this model has been seen in action with our current technology, I believe that there have been significant advancements in the field of genetics and molecular biology since 1997.

With the development of advanced imaging techniques, such as electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy, scientists are now able to observe and study the process of DNA replication in real-time. These techniques have allowed us to visualize the various proteins and enzymes involved in DNA replication and see how they interact with each other.

Additionally, the use of genetic engineering and gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR-Cas9, has also provided valuable insights into the mechanisms of DNA replication and protein synthesis. By manipulating and altering specific genes, scientists have been able to confirm the role of certain proteins and enzymes in these processes.

While there may still be some aspects of the mechanism that have not been fully understood or observed, the advancements in technology have certainly allowed us to gain a better understanding of DNA replication and protein synthesis. I hope this answers your question and highlights the importance of continued research and technological advancements in this field.