Hi-ho, disruptive tech-development curve! Little chips that synthesise DNA strands faster and more cheaply than the standard extant procedures… anyone fancy formulating a Moore’s Law equivalent for synthetic biology? Tian cites the recent cloning of the entire genome of a single bacterium, which took more than four years to complete and cost more than $40 … Continue reading Smaller, better, faster, more: synthetic biology
There was a great segment on NPR’s Science Friday last, well, Friday. It dealt with the potential pitfalls of synthetic biology – a brand new field most recently brought into the headlines by Craig Venter’s creation of synthetic bacterial DNA. The topics ranged widely, from cheap sci-fi thriller plot of rogue scientist creates killer virus … Continue reading Ethics of synthetic biology
Biotech is really hitting its stride as far as rapid progress – and grabbing headlines – is concerned. New Scientist takes a look at the work of Craig Venter – the tycoon who recently attempted to patent a ‘minimal genome’ – who claims his team have passed an important milestone in the journey towards creating entirely … Continue reading Lego lifeforms – the progress of synthetic biology
There are few writers of science fiction whose work I look forward to more than Rudy Rucker‘s. His playful and laid-back sense of humour lends everything he writes a unique and unmistakable tone – and that applies to his non-fiction too. If his work is unfamiliar to you, this essay by Rucker for Newsweek on … Continue reading Rudy Rucker on synthetic biology
Rudy Rucker has been ruminating on synthetic biology in the wake of a September essay in The New Yorker entitled “A Life Of Its Own”, which is well worth the half hour or so it’ll take to read. [image by ynse] In response, Rucker has reposted a piece he wrote for Newsweek on the same … Continue reading Rudy Rucker’s biosynthetic future