Expanding the Genetic Code (Microbes as Machines)

Expanding the Genetic Code (Microbes as Machines)

Example of some of the genetic parts needed to reassign a codon to an unnatural amino acid[1].

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The genetic code was thought to be immutable...Recent developments demonstrate not only that the genetic code can evolve but also that rewiring translation to genetically encode more (possibly many more) than 20 amino acids, primarily by recoding UAG, is both feasible and desirable.[1]

Required Reading/Viewing

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1. Overview of topic

Assigned Papers

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2. Orthogonal translation systems that utilize a quadruplet codon

3. pmid= 21926996

   Fixing protein release factors for more efficient decoding of UAG

4. Creating a completely blank codon with "amberless" E. coli

Additional Resources

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5. Exhaustive review of the topic