We first learn of Dr. Annie Shapiro when Stratt tells Grace, “She invented a new kind of DNA splicing that’s now called the Shapiro method.” 16.082 Grace is already familiar (and possibly a little starstruck) by her presence, enthusiastically adding that “She invented three entire enzymes from scratch to splice DNA using—” 16.083 before being cut off by Stratt. Grace is particularly shocked to learn that someone so brilliant is the second choice for science expert aboard the Hail Mary, serving as backup to Martin DuBois.

Although we do not learn more details about Shapiro’s research, she is established as the “most talented DNA splicing specialist alive.” 16.086 This beanbag will explore the basics of her probable broad area of study and why it might involve enzymes.

In everyday molecular biology, the term DNA splicing could more accurately be referred to as RNA splicing. This occurs between transcription, in which a DNA sequence is duplicated and transcribed into a mRNA molecule, and translation, in which that mRNA molecule is translated into an amino acid sequence (the precursor of a protein). In this context, RNA splicing is the intermediate and necessary step between those two stages; it involves removing non-coding regions and splicing together all the remaining coding regions, resulting in a mature mRNA strand, ready to be translated.

Genetic engineering involves altering DNA in a genome using technology. As this process can include deliberate deletions, insertions, and replacements of DNA sequences in a given genome, it may be that genetic engineering is what Grace and Stratt refer to here as “DNA splicing”.

There are many reasons why Shapiro’s research, if indeed focused on genetic engineering, might require enzymes. Three examples of enzymes that can be involved in genetic engineering are:

• Restriction enzymes which cut DNA into fragments at specific locations
• DNA ligase which joins DNA fragments together, and
• DNA polymerase which builds long chains of DNA, as in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Because we are told that Shapiro invented three entire enzymes, it is possible that she developed more efficient catalysts to replace one or more of those mentioned above, or else completely novel enzymes related to the mysterious “Shapiro method”. Unfortunately due to the events of chapter 21, we won’t get a chance to ask her ourselves.