The Research in a Nutshell (VIDEO) Washington University in St. Louis This video is under embargo. Please login to access this video. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Caption Ben-Shahar describes research with fruit flies that shows messenger RNA plays an active as well as a passive role in the cell. In addition to encoding for a protein, it can mark other mRNAs for destruction, preventing them from making the proteins they code for. Credit Yehuda Ben-Shahar, Susanne DiSalvo, James Byard and Tom Malcowicz/WUSTL Usage Restrictions Please credit License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.