DNA is the basic unit of a living cell and a fundamental part of most of the living organisms present.
Since the discovery of the double-helix structure of DNA by Watson and Crick, there is a lot of research going on in unfolding the mysteries of DNA and finding out the best possible use of DNA for the welfare of humans.
The main focus of scientists is on DNA synthesis, where it replicates to make another copy. This event has many potential future uses in the synthetic biology industry and biotechnology.
What is DNA Synthesis?
DNA synthesis is the creation of DNA molecules, naturally or artificially. The process of DNA synthesis takes place at the time of cell division. The main components of DNA synthesis are:
- Template – It is the DNA strand that initiates the process of DNA synthesis. It is copied to a complementary strand.
- Enzymes – Enzymes like DNA polymerase and Ligase binds the upcoming nucleotides to the Primer.
- Primer – A primer binds to the template and attaches enzymes to begin forming a complementary strand.
- Substrate – These are the building blocks of DNA, and are called deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates (dNTPs). There are four main substrates in DNA Synthesis, which are dATP, dGTP, dTTP, and dCTP.
Things to Look Out For DNA Synthesis In The Future
Gene Therapy
After the completion of the Human Genome Project, research on gene therapy has increased because of adequate data availability. Gene therapy is a powerful tool in the field of treating inherited and monogenic disorders.
According to studies, people with single-gene mutations can be treated with the help of their own bone marrow’s stem cells, also called Hematopoietic stem cells. These stem cells contain the missing gene, which is brought by the viral cell. Many recessive disorders can be treated by gene replacement therapy.
The basic principle of gene replacement therapy is finding an adequate gene and replacing it with a defective gene. Research is currently ongoing to find more prominent viral vectors to carry recombinant DNA to the target site to cure other fatal diseases.
Synthetic Genome
Recent advancement in biotechnology has helped scientists to get success in the development of the synthetic genome. Projects like the Synthetic Yeast Genome Project are ongoing to develop the whole yeast genome consisting of 16 chromosomes.
These projects help scientists to gather information regarding eukaryotic cells to understand them better in terms of their structure and functionality. This technique can also help create artificial strains that will be useful in the industrial and medical fields.
This genome writing technique is the beginning of a new period for synthetic genome synthesis, which can even help in creating new organisms artificially.
Synthetic genomes are artificially created copies of DNA sequences, constructed in a laboratory setting. The concept of synthetic genomes was first proposed in the 1970s and since then, advances in DNA synthesis technology have made it possible to synthesize ever-increasing lengths of DNA.
The synthesis of a full genome, including that of a bacterium, yeast, and a plant, has already been achieved, and there are ongoing efforts to synthesize the genomes of mammals, including humans.
Synthetic genomes offer a number of benefits and potential applications. For example, in the field of biotechnology, synthetic genomes can be used to create improved strains of microorganisms for the production of biofuels, chemicals, and medicines. In the medical field, synthetic genomes can be used to study genetic disorders and develop new treatments.
Cell-free protein synthesis
The functional genome of our body consists of only 20,000 to 30,000 genes, which code for all the proteins and enzymes of our body. The high complexity present here makes the study of proteomics harder, as there is not sufficiently extracted material to study.
The technique of cell-free protein synthesis can be used as a tool for large scale production of proteins. This method prevails in the development of protein directly from the mRNA obtained from the cDNA at the time of synthesis.
According to recent studies, initial research is conducted on Escherichia Coli (E.Coli), which shows many homologies to the human genome. To carry out the technique, DNA is required as the template to get the mRNA template through native organisms or in vivo conditions.
Transgenic Plants
Considering the current need for crop products, transgenic plants can be considered as the future of agriculture. These are genetically modified plants that are created by the technique of recombinant DNA technology.
These plants are genetically modified to express the trait of interest to be superior and provide maximum yield. One such plant, which is studied most, is the cotton plant.
The plant was genetically modified to create resistance against the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis. This technique can create a hybrid crop plant to be resistant to diseases and provide maximum yield.
DNA data storage
With so much progress in the scientific world, a lot of new data is being created at a very fast pace. With this speed of increment in available data, carbon-based storage devices will be un-sufficient to store everything available.
To overcome this shortage of storage devices, scientists are conducting researches to use DNA as a data storage device. Due to the highly stable and highly condensed nature of DNA, scientists are looking forward to creating DNA-based storage devices that can be used for a long time. Because of the stable double helix structure of DNA, it can sustain for about 1,000 years without being damaged.
Theoretically, 1 gram of DNA can store 455 exabytes (455 billion gigabytes) of data. All these properties can make it a future data storage device.
Drug production
Though we are moving towards targeted gene therapy, achieving this goal to the level of success is a long process. In meanwhile, the treatment of hereditary and genetic disorders can be carried by functional proteins.
These proteins can be produced on a large scale using recombinant technology on the microbes cultured in the laboratory. Cells like E.coli, yeast, mammalian cells, and insect cells are most widely used in the mass production of protein. According to studies, 650 drugs are approved worldwide, and 1300 are on the clinical trial.
Biofuel
We rely heavily on fossil fuel, but in reality, we have a very limited supply of fossil fuels, which is on the verge of getting finished. Biofuel is a very prominent alternative to overcome this problem, and many studies are ongoing in the field of extracting biofuel efficiently and in sound amounts.
Different single-cell organisms are tested in one such study, which can digest cellulose from plant biomass and produce hydrocarbons with the property of petrochemical fuels. These microorganisms artificially designed in the laboratory conditions to produce biofuel through an economical route.
Improved Delivery Methods
Improved delivery methods are crucial for the successful introduction of synthetic DNA into cells, which is necessary for many applications in fields such as gene therapy, genetic engineering, and synthetic biology. Currently, there are several methods used for delivering synthetic DNA into cells, including:
Viral Vectors: Viral vectors are modified viruses that are used to introduce DNA into cells. They have been widely used in gene therapy because they can effectively deliver DNA into a wide range of cell types. However, the use of viral vectors is limited by the potential for immune response and the need for strict safety regulations.
Nanoparticles: Nanoparticles can be used to deliver DNA into cells by forming a protective shell around the DNA. They are biocompatible and can penetrate cell membranes, allowing for efficient delivery of the DNA.
Electroporation: Electroporation involves applying an electrical field to cells, which creates temporary pores in the cell membrane, allowing for the introduction of DNA. Electroporation is quick and efficient, but can also damage cells.
In the future, there will likely be a continued focus on improving existing delivery methods and developing new, more efficient and effective methods for delivering synthetic DNA into cells. For example, there is ongoing research into the use of liposomes, which are spherical structures made of lipid bilayers, as delivery vehicles for synthetic DNA.
Overall, the improvement of delivery methods is an important area of development in the field of synthetic genomes, as it will enable the safe and effective delivery of DNA into cells, making it possible to realize the full potential of synthetic genomes in fields such as gene therapy, genetic engineering, and synthetic biology.
Conclusion
DNA synthesis is becoming a prominent solution to many of the major problems faced by us with so much advancement in biological sciences.
From the field of medicine to food, DNA synthesis has helped to get solutions that were not available anywhere else. With this technology, we can shape our future in a much better direction.
