"Golden DNA" is a term that can refer to several different things, depending on the context.
1. Gold Nanoparticles Modified with DNA:
- This refers to polyvalent DNA gold nanoparticles, also known as spherical nucleic acids, which are colloidal gold particles coated with short, synthetic DNA strands. These nanoparticles were invented in 1996 by Chad Mirkin and his team at Northwestern University.
- These "golden DNA" particles have various applications in fields like medicine, diagnostics, and materials science.
2. DNA Used in Forensic Genealogy:
- In forensic science, "golden DNA" can refer to DNA samples used in investigative genetic genealogy, which is a technique that uses public databases to find relatives of an unknown suspect and subsequently identify the individual.
- This method was used in the investigation of the Golden State Killer, a serial killer and rapist, who was finally apprehended in 2018 after his DNA profile was matched to relatives on a public genealogy website.
3. DNA Used in Golden Gate Cloning:
- "Golden Gate cloning" is a technique used in molecular biology to assemble multiple DNA fragments into a specific order within a vector. This technique relies on Type IIS restriction enzymes that cut DNA outside their recognition sites, creating unique "sticky ends" that can be used to join different DNA fragments.
4. DNA Used in DNA Methylation-Gold Kits:
- "Golden DNA" can also refer to DNA used in EZ DNA Methylation-Gold Kits, which are commercially available kits that allow for the conversion of unmethylated cytosines into uracil in DNA samples.
- This process is used to analyze the methylation patterns in DNA, which can provide insights into gene regulation and disease development.
5. "Golden DNA" in the Game "Survivorio":
- The term "golden DNA" is also used in the game Survivorio, which appears to refer to a type of in-game resource or upgrade that is valuable and difficult to obtain.
In summary, "golden DNA" is a term that can have multiple interpretations depending on the context. It can refer to gold nanoparticles modified with DNA, DNA used in forensic genealogy, DNA used in Golden Gate cloning, DNA used in DNA methylation-gold kits, or a valuable resource in the game Survivorio.
