CNA

CNA is the fundamental genetic material of the Transformer species in some continuities.

This year's Mario Kart has some really weird tracks.

CNA—standing variously for Cyber/Nano Algorithms and/or Cybernucleic Acid—is the genetic material that determines what Transformers are like. Tinkering with this material can be dangerous and can have long-lasting, negative effects. CNA contains a Transformer's hard-coded design schematics, which, like genetic data, appear to be stored in the spark itself.

Fiction

Marvel Comics continuity

Marvel Generation 2 comics

Transformer genetic material. Eat your hearts out, Watson and Crick.

The existence of Transformer genetic material was mentioned and seen when Perceptor and others analyzed the Swarm. They noted that its genetic material and cellular structure were identical to that of the Transformers species. Tales of Earth Part Six

Regeneration One

Regeneration One continues from the Marvel US series, and does not include the UK stories or any subsequently published stories.

Scorponok discovered a strand of CNA he referred to as the 'warrior gene' which he claimed was the difference between Autobots and Decepticons. He also a created the Gene Key, a device that could re-write CNA and activate the gene. Natural Selection, Part One Although Scorponok explained that Autobot and Decepticon are not so black-and-white, the Autobot Headmasters he tested the Key on displayed more aggression and were willing to follow Decepticon orders. The Autobot Perceptor was also affected by the Key, after which he showed signs of sadism.Natural Selection, Part Two

IDW Generation 1 continuity

Out of malevolent curiosity, Jhiaxus altered the CNA of Arcee to introduce gender to the species. That wasn't going to come back to haunt him, no siree... Spotlight: Arcee

Animated cartoon

Scalpel used the CNA of Perceptor as a template to make Magnificus as a part of Operation: Doppelgänger. Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II Later, Starscream created many clones of himself. A Fistful of EnergonA Bridge Too Close, Part I

Aligned continuity

Fall of Cybertron comics

Shockwave mixed dinosaur DNA with the Lightning Strike Coalition's CNA in his successful experiments with giving them new dinosaur alternate modes. Fall

Hunt the Beasts

After the Predacons broke out of Shockwave's laboratory, you were sent on a mission to scout the place out and investigate what happened. During your search you discovered CNA samples of eleven different Predacons which provided valuable information about them. You also discovered that the Predacons were cloned by Shockwave using CNA samples he discovered of the long dead creatures. Hunt the Beasts

Prime cartoon

Shockwave recovered Predacon CNA and used it to create Predaking, a Predacon clone. Scattered

See also

• DNA