Flipons: The Discovery of Z-DNA and Soft-Wired Genomes

Alan Herbert has played a leading part in discovering the biological roles for a high-energy form of DNA twisted to the left rather than to the right. Both Z-DNA and the Z-RNA sensing proteins are critical for protecting hosts against both viruses and cancers. The proteins also play critical roles in the programmed cell death of aging cells. Other types of flipon exist and alter the readout of transcripts from the genome, encoding genetic information by their shape rather than by their sequence. Many of these flipons are within repeat elements that were previously considered to be just genomic junk. Instead these genetic elements increase the adaptability of cells by flipping DNA conformation. By acting as digital switches, the different flipon types can alter cellular responses without any change to their sequence or any damage to DNA. These highly dynamic structures enable the rapid evolution of multicellular organisms. The junk DNA in repeats also encode peptide patches that enables the assembly of cellular machines, The intransitive logic involved enhances the chance of an individuals surviving a constantly changing environment.

Key Features

- Causes us to rethink how information is encoded in the genome.

- Changes our understanding of how our genome evolved and how we protect ourselves against viruses and cancers while sparing normal cells.

- Shows that high energy forms of DNA, such as left-handed DNA do exist inside the cell.

- Accessible to those in academia and the general public, and speaks to the next generation, encouraging them to find their own path in scientific discovery.