Inferring DNA from RNA

A new technique to derive DNA information from non-DNA sources, such as RNA, threatens the anonymity of genetic database donors.

Written byJef Akst

| 2 min read

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Your DNA sequence may not be as secure as you think.

DNA databases contain hordes of information about people’s genetic makeup, including mutations that may put them at higher risks of certain diseases and, more generally, a genetic barcode that is unique to each individual. For this reason, access to such data is restricted to protect identity and health information. RNA data, on the other hand, reside in publicly available databases, which house results of thousands of genomic studies from the last several years.

Now, Eric E. Schadt from Mount Sinai School of Medicine and his colleagues have figured out a way to infer DNA sequence from RNA data, which reflects gene-expression levels in a variety of tissues. The technique, published this week (April 8) ...

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Meet the Author

Jef Akst
Jef (an unusual nickname for Jennifer) got her master’s degree from Indiana University in April 2009 studying the mating behavior of seahorses. After four years of diving off the Gulf Coast of Tampa and performing behavioral experiments at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, she left research to pursue a career in science writing. As The Scientist's managing editor, Jef edited features and oversaw the production of the TS Digest and quarterly print magazine. In 2022, her feature on uterus transplantation earned first place in the trade category of the Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers.
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