Gene Key

"Mwahahaha! Once I use this to turn everyone into Decepticons, we'll all be friends!"
"The Decepticons are full of guys like Starscream, Blot, Headstrong, Tantrum, Starscream, Menasor, Triggerhappy, Misfire, Starscream..."

TheGene Keyis a device that rewrites theCNAof Cybertronians. It's basicallyone of these,but shaped like an antique Earth key.

Fiction

Regeneration One

"...Slugfest, Overkill, Skalor, Nautilator, Weirdwolf, the Battlechargers, the Firecons, Quake, Starscream, Fangry-"
"...You've made your point."
"...Apeface, Snapdragon, Brawl, Breakdown, Macabre..."

Scorponokcreated the Gene Key onNebulos,where he first tested its capability to modify the "warrior gene" on the restoredAutobotHeadmasters.He enlistedGrimlock's help to put his invention to use, with the offer of a new,Nucleon-free body.Natural Selection, Part OneHe then took his invention toCybertron,to wreak havoc on the Autobot forces there. Grimlock was sent ahead with the purpose of using the Key onPerceptor.Natural Selection, Part TwoScorponok was surprised to discover that it did not work oneverybody.Natural Selection, Part ThreeScorponok put Perceptor to work constructing a giant version of the Key at theSonic Canyons,where the canyons' resonant properties would allow the Key's signal to propagate across Cybertron, rewriting the CNA of every Autobot on the planet.Natural Selection, Part Four

Scorponok was stunned to discover that Grimlock had not actually used the Gene Key given to him on Perceptor, setting the scientist up as the Autobot's "inside man" instead. Perceptor had used his position to antagonize Scorponok by countering the Decepticon's theories and staging delays, and modified the giant Gene Key to restore the individually-reprogrammed Autobots instead.Natural Selection, Part Five