Synthetic biology

Making Silk from Milk: a Documentary about Synthetic Biology

by Socrates
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Synthetic Biology is one of arguably the most promising fields of (science fiction turned) science with a whole myriad of potential applications. It was only several months ago when Craig Venter unveiled his breakthrough creation of synthetic life but even before this controversial milestone the issues surrounding it have inspired as much fear as promise. Most experts in the field believe that fear arises from ignorance and better education about the benefits of synthetic biology and the science behind it will likely alleviate greatly that fear. It is for this reason that Andrew Hessel’s main message for Singularity 1 on 1 was Don’t Fear Synthetic Biology. Furthermore, in his Introduction to Synthetic Biology Andrew has presented perhaps one of the most lucid and easy to understand lectures on the topic. In essence, synthetic biology is designing and programing living entities, [...]

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Andrew Hessel on Singularity 1 on 1: Don’t Fear Synthetic Biology

by Socrates
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Today I am very happy to have Andrew Hessel as my guest on Singularity 1 on 1. (As always, you can listen to or download the audio interview above, or scroll down and watch the video recording in full.) During the interview Andrew shares his truly infectious passion about synthetic biology and the unique opportunities that lie ahead of the budding first generation of DIY bio-hackers. We also discuss a variety of other interesting issues such as the singularity, religion, the promise of personalized medicine as cancer treatment,  the risks and benefits of open-source synthetic-biology and the fact that biology is a dual-use technology. I have to admit that I was so infected by Andrew’s passion and his unique, open-source approach that I couldn’t help it but buy a 20 dollar share in the Pink Army Cooperative. Who is Andrew [...]

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Programming Life: J. Craig Venter On 60 Minutes

by Socrates
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This video is the full profile interview of controversial genomics scientist J. Craig Venter. It is only 13 min long but covers a great deal of issues surrounding Craig Venter’s persona and work such as: his project of sequencing the first complete human genome, his anti-establishment and arguably arrogant behavior, his religious beliefs (or lack thereof), the designing and creation of the first synthetic species and its implications. Other relevant videos: Andrew Hessel: An Introduction To Synthetic Biology Synthetic Life Video Presentation Synthetic Biology Breakthrough: Programming Life On Your Computer Screen

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Synthetic Biology Breakthrough: Programming Life on Your Computer Screen

by Socrates
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Usually I don’t post on weekends but the amazing scientific developments of the last couple of days demand that I do so. Underneath you will find a short summary, some informative videos, relevant links and initial commentary by me and others on Craig Venter‘s breakthrough creation of synthetic life. This first clip is the original press conference where Dr. Venter provides a brief chronology of the project and discusses some of the ethical and potential practical implications thereof. The Unveiling of Synthetic Life The second video is the consequent Journal Science video interview with J. Craig Venter about the first synthetic cell. Notable Quotes by Craig Venter: “This is the first self-replicating species that we have had on the planet whose parent is a computer.” “Cells are software driven biological machines.” Some initial reactions: The Washington Post says of J. [...]

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Andrew Hessel: An Introduction to Synthetic Biology

by Socrates
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In the following 2 fascinating videos, Andrew Hessel — a geneticist, research pioneer and founder of the Pink Army Cooperative, speaks about synthetic biology. Andrew discusses the similarities between biology and computer science and claims we can look at biological systems the same way that we look at computer networks. Thus, if the cells are information processors and DNA is their programming language, then synthetic biology is the next IT industry. Consequently, for him the best way of thinking about synthetic biology is thinking of it as programming computer code. Though indirectly, Hessel provides evidence in support of Ray Kurzweil‘s claim that biology has recently turned into an information technology and therefore we can expect that it too will abide by the Law of Accelerating Returns and exhibit an exponential growth in the amount of our knowledge and discoveries. Andrew [...]

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