Synthesis of cDNA Virus

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Science has published a paper (reported by the BBC) detailing the cDNA poliovirus being synthesized by assembling oligonucleotides of +/- polarity. The assembly was then transcribed by RNA polymerase into viral RNA. The viral DNA then paralyzed and killed test subjects, and CD155 receptor-specific antibodies confirmed it having the properties of polio.

This marks our first successful attempt to synthesize a virus. Also of interest, the sequence they used was obtained from a public mail-order service and a method downloaded from the internet.

 

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