What's the News: Test-tube evolution just went viral: a new study shows how to use viruses' knack for natural selection to create tailored proteins. Researchers at Harvard say their new technique is a hundred times faster than the usual methods, churning through 200 generations of proteins in 8 days, and, crucially, requires no attention from researchers after it’s set up: a crock pot for evolution. Though a godsend primarily for researchers, in the future it could accelerate the growth of customized proteins for new drugs.
Scientists have harnessed the power of viruses in a method for evolving customized proteins.
How the Heck:
Researchers first set up a container with a constant flow of fluid and cells and then add viruses, which start to infect the cells. The viruses carry the genes for a protein researchers want to optimize---for instance, a partially effective drug they want to improve.
The proteins spring ...
