After death, some genes begin life anew

2018-02-16 20:59

After death, some genes begin life anew
An international group of scientists found that some genes continue to function after death.

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Biologists have analysed tissue samples collected during 24 hours after the death of the donor. They established the nucleotide sequence of messenger RNA (mRNA) – active gene products. Data were compared with the results of a study of blood samples obtained prior to death, reports Rus.Media.

It turned out that some genes continued to work, while some of them have intensified after the heart stops. Scientists believe that in this way the cell responds to the lack of oxygen associated with the cessation of blood flow, but the exact reasons for the phenomenon remain unknown.

Experts hope that the results will help to develop new methods for determining how much time has passed from the death of a person through the levels of RNA. This requires additional studies that will be considered for longer periods of time since the cardiac arrest, and also take into account the age and cause of death.