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Published online 31 March 2004 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news040329-7

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Evolved DNA stitches itself up

Could DNA have kick-started life on Earth instead of RNA?

Researchers have managed to create bits of DNA that can stitch themselves together without a helping hand from other molecules. By contrast, natural DNA needs enzymes to stitch itself up, correct mutations, or make copies of itself.

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