Francis Crick established the central dogma in 1958. He stated that DNA programs the RNA, and then RNA makes the proteins. However, it is now disrupted by an article published in Science on April 16, 2026.
Scientists at Stanford have discovered DRT3b (Defence-associated Reverse Transcriptase 3b), a bacterial enzyme that accomplishes DNA synthesis using its own amino acids. This has been proven to be an active mechanism of bacteria against viruses, also known as bacteriophages.
In simple words, there is no nucleic acid template, no genetic instructions, and no base pairing. As mentioned by Alex Gao in his paper, " it is the protein itself that serves as the blueprint for the DNA sequence. However, he also says that this is not a universal mechanism. The DRT3 synthesises only one repetitive series of DNA.
This new theory defies the previous theory that protein is the end goal of molecular synthesis from DNA. Now, it is understood that protein has an intrinsic capability to give rise to genetic content, DNA.
Last year, CRISPR changed the course of biotechnology, and now, with DRT3b, new doors are about to open.
What do you think about this? Will this remain an exception or a universal theory? Is it worthy enough nomination for a nobel prize?
References:
https://www.science.org/content/article/scientists-stunned-fundamentally-new-way-life-produces-dna