Reverse Transcriptase
Reverse transcriptase (RT) is an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of DNA from an RNA template. It plays a critical role in the life cycles of retroviruses and is a fundamental tool in molecular biology.
Recent Developments
- Discovery of Array-associated Reverse Transcriptase (ART): In September 2026, claude-ai identified a novel CRISPR-like system involving a previously unknown class of reverse transcriptases Claude AI Discovers Novel CRISPR-like System, Array-associated Reverse Transcriptase (ART).
- Implications: This discovery suggests a broader diversity of RT functions in prokaryotic immune systems than previously understood, potentially expanding the toolkit for gene-editing technologies.