CNA
- CNA is the fundamental genetic material of the Transformer species in some continuities.
Cyber/Nano Algorithms,[1] or CNA, are 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,[2] which, like genetic data, appear to be stored in the spark itself.
References to it, however, are very scarce in fiction, and thus, like the far more commonly referenced sparks, it can only be said to definitively exist in continuities where it is actually mentioned. To date, the specific nomenclature "CNA" has only been used in two continuities.
Fiction
Generation 2 comic
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
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
Fall of Cybertron comics
Shockwave mixed dinosaur DNA with the Lightning Strike Coalition's CNA in his successful experiments with giving them new dinosaur altmodes. Fall
Regeneration One comic comics
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 #1Although 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 #2
