From: Week in Science

Four recent articles from Week in Science contain useful information. 'New Use for DNA Microarrays' cites newly developed procedures "for using DNA microarrays to rapidly identify mineral catalysts which pair well with abiotic building blocks of important biomolecules."

As the author indicated the multidisciplinary appoach (chemistry, biology and geology) offers promise and may result in an accelerated search for productive pairings.

'Radiation Resistance' cites a cellular repair switch- the "DNA damage checkpoint response"- which is an effective antidote to DNA damage incurred through radiation. I've argued that genomic correction and repair mechanisms are a prerequisite to cellular life and offer possibilities for ID based predictions and testing.

'APOBEC Proteins and Immunology' provides details about a family of proteins that protects primates against viral pathogens as well as "jumping genes." While one can readily envision changes in existing genes associated with viral adaptations, it is not clear how the genes connected with this complex of proteins would have gradually evolved as an adaptive response.

'How Changing are Constants?' deals with physics constants. An allusion to the significance of cosmological phenomenon for teleology is made.