new synthetic enzyme

[wright]

Another increment towards abiogenesis:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130130132411.htm

From the article:

Rational enzyme design relies on preconceived notions of what a new enzyme should look like and how it should function. In contrast, directed evolution involves producing a large quantity of candidate proteins and screening several generations to produce one with the desired function. With this approach, the outcome isn't limited by current knowledge of enzyme structure.

"Just as in nature, only the fittest survive after each successive generation," Seelig explains. The process continues until it produces an enzyme that efficiently catalyzes a desired biochemical reaction. In this case, the new enzyme joins two pieces of RNA together.

Fascinating. I'm really encouraged by research like this; it looks plausible that at least one potential path for abiogenesis will be recreated in my lifetime.

[Nick]

What are some of the possible applications of this down the road?

[Graybeard]

The process continues until it produces an enzyme that efficiently catalyzes a desired biochemical reaction.

Basically, if an organic substance occurs naturally as part of a life form or the process within a life-form, we would be able to create it without the original life-form - meat without animals, carbohydrates and sugars without plants, oil without dinosaurs, etc. We could turn waste into valuable and useful materials, CO2 into C and O2, develop drugs and molecules that presently are impossible or vastly expensive to produce now, etc.

[wright]

What are some of the possible applications of this down the road?

Excellent question. Discoveries like this advance biochemistry in general, showing us how to make drugs more effective and cheaply, even "tailoring" treatments for specific individuals:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personalized_medicine

Also, for procedures like enzyme replacement:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enzyme_replacement_therapy

I've said it before: I'd rather be alive now than at any other time in human history. The explosion of knowledge and general improvement of the human condition is astounding.

[Add Homonym]

What are some of the possible applications of this down the road?

I'm hoping for nanobots that turn us into "grey goo".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_goo