12/20/2010
Current Event for 12/13/2010 (LATE)
http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/11/ff_mirrorlife/3/
The article is about the possibility of mirror life. Life exists entirely one handed meaning that all our enzymes, protein, lipids and any thinkable chemical structure related to life exists in one orientation. The idea may seem strange to the average reader, but in biology orientation does matter. There is a flipside for each chemical. The differences are so different in fact that a spatially different chemical may create radically different effects. In contemplation of this, Dr. Sasselov proposed that life should also exist in the other orientation. The task he proposed is daunting. Even the simplest cells have thousands of biological components each individually tailored to meticulous and painstaking precision. In order to make this “mirror cell” a sizable effort would have to be put forth. The effort though would be rewarded handsomely. There are many benefits to having mirror cells. The biggest one is immunity to biological attack. Mirror cells have proteins, lipids and enzymes that are backwards to existing cells. Current chemicals that may instantly destroy any cell may be harmless to the radically different chemical structure of the mirror cell. This also remains true for biological life. Viruses for example would be unable to attack the cells. Lipid membranes would be backwards and even the simple task of locating the cell would be daunting much less invading the cell and recruiting backward enzymes and proteins and additionally reading backwards DNA. One commercial example of the use of mirror cells is chemical manufacturing. Geneva a large chemical company recently suffered a large mishap from a virus infecting a large batch of medicine producing cells. The plague left customers stricken with lack of medication and Geneva with a bad company image that led to a very sharp decline in their company worth. If mirror cells were employed they would be able to manufacture the same chemicals, but remain immune to any pathological attack. These cells could continue to produce chemicals in peace indefinitely. Mirror cells have gleaned the interest of the scientific community and close attention will be paid to their development.
The information affects humanity profoundly. The science that produces mirror cells would allow us to understand how normal cells were created as well. Mirror cell production is a kind of dissection tool that scientists can use to explore the origins of life. Current tools remain sparse and mirror life can bring a new outlook to an old question. Additionally, if the endeavor is successful, then scientists will be credited for creating life (though creating life from a blueprint). In the process, the very widely acknowledged theory of life emerging from genial conditions and nonliving chemicals would be proven. This would be a major step in understanding the universe and humanity.
The article was well written. It was easy to follow in a story format. Instead of dry and heavy medical vocabulary, the author skillfully merges story with information. This convergence keeps the reader interested in the article. Inciting interest is a task that should be applauded for any article much less a science one. The article also brought scientific ideas to layman terms. Instead of chemical formulas it used commercial examples that most people can relate to. In the need to explain much more scientifically oriented topic, the author’s description was precise and careful enough to get the point across without losing the reader.
Bohannon, John. "Mirror-Image Cells Could Transform Science — or Kill Us All." Wired.com. Web. 20 Dec. 2010.
http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/11/ff_mirrorlife/3/
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