Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

A Facile Protocol to Generate Site-Specifically Acetylated Proteins in Escherichia Coli
Published on: December 9, 2017
Evolving new genetic codes
Jamie M Bacher1, Randall A Hughes, J Tze-Fei Wong
1Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station A4800, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
Abstract:
Although the genetic code is almost universal, natural variations exist that have caused evolutionary biologists to speculate about codon evolution. There are two predominant hypotheses that specify either a gradual (ambiguous intermediate) or stochastic (codon capture) change in the code. These hypotheses are similar to two biotechnology techniques that have been used to engineer the genetic code: a 'top down' approach, in which the whole organism is evolved for the ability to incorporate unnatural amino acids, and a 'bottom up' approach, in which aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and their cognate tRNAs are engineered. The biotechnology experiments provide insights into natural codon evolution, and a combination of these approaches should enable the evolution of organisms that can incorporate unnatural amino acids throughout their proteomes.
Related Concept Videos
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes
From DNA to Protein
Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?
In contrast, regions which code...
Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?
In contrast, regions which code...
The Central Dogma
