This musing derives from thinking about how labelling things we do not yet understand, such as ‘dark matter’ and ‘junk DNA’ can be viewed from an alternate perspective. I have been doing a little reading on DNA research and was interested to discover that the original ‘junk DNA’ label, first utilised in the 1960’s and then formalised in 1972, has had an upgrade. Geneticist’s are now increasingly using the label ‘non coding DNA’.1
In our human DNA, only around 2% of the three billion base pairs that make up the genome encode protiens. That leaves around 98% as non coding, yet it seems more useful than ‘junk’. Over the last twenty years, advances in sequencing, basically combining or putting things in order; with regards to DNA this can give a genetic profile to an organism, have revealed that cells use some of their non coding DNA to create a vast range of RNA molecules. These molecules use various ways to regulate or assist with protein production, they can bind selectively to a target to either promote or inhibit its translation into protein.
A large catagory of non coding DNA has been given the moniker of ‘transposons’, these are our ‘jumping genes’, able to both change their location and make many copies of themselves within the genome. At this point my mind wanders to an episode during the first series of the tv comedy series ‘Blackadder’, ‘Born to be King’. As part of the court festivities, the ‘Jumping Jews of Jerusalem’ perform by…jumping up and down. At the end of their jumpimg, the troup leader comments that he did not think the audience understood the performance. If these Jewish gentlemen performers had been able to transpose, perhaps on super strong spring-heeled boots, or multi-phasic gravitational pogo sticks, the performance would have taken on a different dimension, especially if they could multiply themselves each time they jumped. The audience experience would certainly be transformed from bored indifference. That said, the potential for chaotic disruption would be up there with the ‘Tribbles’ in ‘Star Trek.
A large and variable portion of non coding DNA in genomes consists of highly repeated sequenences of assorted lengths. One example that contributes to the structural organisation of chromosomes are centromeres, essential for chromosome segregation during cell division. Another can be found at the end of chromosomes, the repetitive sequences known as ‘telomeres’. Their practical application being to act as protective caps, that prevent chromosomes from fraying or fusing with each other. Each time a cell divides, a portion of the telomere is lost, over time and multiple cell division, telomeres shorten. Current science is linking telomers and aging. Shorter telomeres are linked to age related diseases, the shorter they become, the risk increases. To keep your telomere of decent length and by extension positively influence your aging process, bear in mind the following lifestyle factors: A Mediterranean or plant based diet can preserve telomere length, regular exercise, including aerobic and high intensity impact training can positively impact, stress management and mindfulness can help keep your telomere long, finally adequate sleep. In a nutshell, some common sense on taking responsibilty for ones own mental and physical well being.
A further catagory of non coding DNA is referred to as a ‘pseudogene’. Scientists currently view these as remnants of working genes, accidentally duplicated and then degraded through mutation. Many have been labelled as such without experimental evidence that they were not functional. Sometimes they can evolve new functions. Mutations can accumulate without affecting protein coding sequences, allowing for evolutionary changes that can lead to functions or regulatory mechanisms, including forming biological 3 dimensional structures. There are also elements, known as insulators and chromatin loops, that facilitate the 3 dimensional organisation of the genome. These elements play a critical role in bringing distant regulatory regions into close proximity with their target genes.2
This last function I regard as a clue to further discovery of our human origin story, which I increasingly think goes back to the stars, way before the various ‘homo’ species evolved on Earth. It may also be related to quantum entanglement, what Einstein referred to as ‘the spooky effect’, where every point and space in time is conncted instantly. The ultimate quantum entanglement, or non local field is consciousness, our physical bodies form part of this field, as well as navigate within it. Something I have experienced myself is remote viewing, to be able to do this cells need to be able to function as nodes that can connect instantly, rather than say at the speed of sound or light. Combining DNA research with research into consciousness, along with further study into how our glands function is my thought on how to gain further insight here. There may be within us the stuff that enables us to transform from today’s Jumping Jews of Jerusalem into galactic tourists (once a friendly ET being familiar with consciousness technology has shown us the vibrational node we need).
Root, Trunk, Branch, Twiglet 
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