2018 CVM News: Genetic transcription 'pause' is focus of NASA grant

Abstract

This news item from the Cornell Chronicle is about: DNA is a blueprint for cells to make proteins that allow those cells to function properly. To create the proteins, enzymes copy genetic codes from DNA strands and then transfer the instructions onto RNA in a process called transcription. Almost all forms of animal life - from fruit flies to butterflies to mammals - contain a pause in transcription, a step that appears to allow the transcription machinery to take a break to fine-tune its copying process.