Can you synthesize DNA with just a DNA code?

Question

Can you synthesize DNA with just a DNA code?

Answer 1

the answer is both yes and no.  

if you have access to the chemicals and a laboratory you can synthesize Amino Acids (AA), protiens and short chains of Nucleic Acids (NA's).  NA chains can be replicated using a process called Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), but the real problem in reproducing biological molecules in the laboratory is that all molecules have Chirality, also called 'handedness', i.e. they turn in a specific direction.  normal biological molecules on earth have a D (Dextro, right handed turn).  molecules that turn the opposite way, S, (Sinestro, left handed turn) do not interact well in biological systems. Biological systems produce exclusively D molecules, but compounds derived in the lab are 50%D and 50%S.  S molecules can have devastating effects on biological systems, as was discovered in the 1980's when one type of synthetic heroin brought on parkensonian symptoms in the people who tried it.

what we CAN do, is given a dna code, try to combine matching dna strands from RFLP's (Restriction fragment length polymorphism's) to reconstruct the sequence you are trying to duplicate.

all in all, you're talking about a very complex, very expensive process, which i do not believe has been done to date, but should be happening in the near future.  when it does, the company who manages to pull it off is going be VERY rich.  

Answer 2

in theory.... but it would be far to complicated.

Answer 3

don't you need a free nucleotide?

Answer 4

No.

Answer 5

With today's technology, only short sequences.

Answer 6

nop

Answer 7

We do it all the time when we create Primers for PCR amplification.  It's a bit complicated but it is possible for short nucleotide lengths.  If you mean to recreate entire genomes, sadly, that's not possible yet.  But they're working on it!