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The Conversation USA

Can random bits of DNA lead to safe, new antibiotics and herbicides?

  • Written by Kevin M. Folta, Professor and Chair, Horticultural Sciences Department, Graduate Program in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Florida
imagePlants make proteins based on whatever genetic material you give them.Carl Davies, CSIRO, CC BY

I was cutting my grass when the battery in my iPod died. Instead of enjoying the distraction of music, my brain switched to its usual nerd mode of thinking about molecules. Within a few passes of cut grass, I was pondering the biggest “Why...

Read more: Can random bits of DNA lead to safe, new antibiotics and herbicides?

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