an autonomous mini laboratory that uses computers, robotics and lab equipment to conduct scientific experiments, automatically generate hypotheses to explain the resulting data, test these hypotheses, and then interpret the results.
Tag: biotech
Creating iPS Cells
scientists learned how to create a pluripotent stem cell out of a human skin cell. this will allow to regrow body parts in the lab.
2014-01-29:Creating stem cells directly from blood cells, via an acid shock. Huge, huge implications.
shocking blood cells with acid could also trigger the transformation into stem cells
Crème du Stem
Made from human embryonic stem cells, harvested from IVF clinics. As if that wasn’t enough marketing juju, the commercial release will use immortal cell lines from supermodels.
DIY electrophoresis
Well, what’s a narrow rigid tube that’s easy for anyone to acquire? A clear drinking straw! Paper clips make for appropriately sized electrodes, and since a drinking straw is rigid, it can be used in either the horizontal or the vertical orientation. For extra bonus points, when you’re ready to cut a band out of the gel, no need for mucking around with razor blades — just take a (sterile) pair of scissors, snip snip, and you’re done! Plus, disposal is extra simple, even with polyacrylamide — just dispose of the entire straw, gel and all, properly. Tito Jankowski tried this out, using a single 9V battery as a power supply, and after some debugging, it worked beautifully. (He also used alligator clips as electrodes, and they worked just fine.) We’re calling these “keiki gels” because they’re so small and cute — and so simple, even a little kid can do them. This is crowdsourced science at its very finest. Behold the power of collaboration!
DIY bioscience is real.
DIY biohacking
The clash between the potential benefits and dangers of doing home science were highlighted by the case of Victor Deeb. The retired 71-year-old chemist in Marlborough saw his basement lab dismantled by authorities this summer after it was noticed by fire officials putting out a second-floor air conditioner fire. Officials intervened in Deeb’s workspace because it did not meet lab standards. Chemical companies shipping Deeb their materials were unaware that they were shipping to a residence. Deeb insists that the chemicals he was using were less hazardous than common cleaners and household chemicals. He questions why his hobby was seen as more dangerous than, for example, a hunter with a gun collection, or a person using a propane grill.
need to drop by the betahouse to learn more
Cell-Sorting Implants
1 usage of automation would be high-throughput screening of cancer cells in vivo. “If you can input devices and look for circulating tumor cells in blood cells, you can even think about screening out those tumor cells out. You can potentially use this as a way of slowing the spread cancers.”
implantable soon
10x endurance
DARPA has a $3B program to make a “Metabolically Dominant Soldier.” In other words, the military is studying how to use technology and biology to meld man and machine and transcend the limits of the human body.
Metabolomics
data mining metabolism byproducts for health and profit
Biotech Paternalism
California’s Department of Public Health has issued cease and desist letters to 13 genetic testing startups – most notably 23andMe. They are mandating that the labs demonstrate that they have been certified by both the state and federal government, and, perhaps more importantly, that all genetic tests were ordered by a patient’s doctor, which is required by state law.
completely retarded. overreaching legislation, as usual in the healthcare sector.
Proteomics
This places parents of young “foldit” enthusiasts in a quandary: should they tell their children to stop playing games and get on with their homework, or encourage them to continue playing and possibly share in a Nobel prize?
Gregor J. Rothfuss 