Synthetic molecules can activate genes

MANCHESTER, England, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- British scientists say they've used synthetic molecules to activate specific genes in bacteria, a method that could lead to new drug and gene therapies.

The University of Manchester researchers say their work builds on a recent discovery that naturally occurring molecules turn genes on and off by activating riboswitches in a large molecule called messenger RNA. The scientists say they found they could trigger the riboswitches by adding synthetic molecules that bind to the riboswitches and activate the genes.

"Being able to selectively activate and regulate genes could have tremendous impact in drug discovery and the emerging field of synthetic biology," Neil Dixon, a senior researcher in the team, said. "This technology could be used to turn on and off important biological pathways and processes, leading to a deeper understanding of how cells function. The next big challenge is to apply this technology to study biological processes within human cells."

The study appears in the early online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.