DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) - one of three main macromolecules which form the basis of cells of any living being. Two others are a protein and RNA. DNA role in this three consists in storage from generation to generation of the genetic program of functioning of organisms. Researches of this polymeric molecule from the repeating blocks continue nearly one and a half centuries, but the last decade brought, perhaps, the most significant results.
The large-scale international project on interpretation of DNA of the person began in 1990 - it was called "Human genome". In 2003 the work was completed by creation of the DNA card. From it it became clear that all 28 thousand genes of the person occupy in a chain only 2%, and all the rest - molecules which do not bear information, necessary for life. The experiments made with laboratory mice showed that removal of this sequence called "DNA garbage" (DNA Junk) does not influence activity of animals in any way. Nevertheless, all this "dead rock" is descended from generation to generation.
With completion of works within "Human genome" of a research did not stop, in the same 2003 started falls of 2012 summed up some results of work. In particular, it became clear that "garbage" sites of DNA are not useless at all. Researchers found out that they are used for doubling of DNA chains at cell fission and also regulate activity of those 2% of "useful" genes.
Besides, scientists found in "garbage" of a chain, corresponding to ancient viruses. Once they struck cells of the person, but then for some reason stopped the activity and were just descended, without doing more harm. Today's viruses use the same mechanism - they are built in a chain of genes of DNA and then reproduce themselves in large quantities, affecting an organism. Now researchers are faced by a task which solution can help with treatment of the most terrible scourges of modern mankind - cancer and HIV. The task is in finding out the mechanism thanks to which virus chains of actively operating genes pass into the category of harmless "DNA garbage".