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MBL Senior Scientist Irina Arkhipova is quoted in this article.

Made-to-order gene could be so toxic that cells only assemble it in emergencies

Viruses plague bacteria as well as people, and some bacteria deploy what one scientist calls a 91�������לcrazy molecular mechanism91�������ם to defend themselves, two studies published in Science this month reveal. The bacteria conjure up an entirely new gene that isn91�������יt normally in their repertoire. This gene, dubbed neo by both groups that unearthed it, then spawns a protein that stymies the viral invaders.

Although the mechanism seems bizarre, 91�������לthese are excellent papers,91�������ם says microbiologist Aude Bernheim of the Pasteur Institute, who wasn91�������יt connected to the research. 91�������לBoth have very convincing evidence.91�������ם The findings offer the latest challenge to the misperception that genetic information flows only one way91�������הfrom DNA to RNA to proteins91�������הand raise the possibility that similar cryptic genes lurk in other organisms, even humans.

Source: Bacteria Use 91�������טCrazy Molecular Mechanism91�������י to Fight Viruses | Science