RNA comes to the forefront

A paradigm shift in molecular biology proclaims The Economist Magazine in a June 2007 article on RNA (http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9333471).  The article begins as follows: “It is beginning to dawn on biologists that they may have got it wrong” and continues with an extensive discussion of the emerging importance of RNA at virtually every level of cellular function including as a potential alternative pathway for evolution.  They suggest that RNA based pharmaceuticals may be the new therapeutic frontier once delivery issues are resolved.  They also suggest that increasing complexity in animals such as primates compared to worms may be due more to changes in RNA mediated regulation than to changes in DNA generated protein.  Are there implications with respect to anesthesia function and complications?  At present that is unknown.

David S. Smith M.D., Ph.D.