SCIENCE

Synthetic Genomics Platforms Allow Rapid Reconstruction Of SARS-CoV-2

Synthetic Genomics Platforms Allow Rapid Reconstruction Of SARS-CoV-2

Reverse genetics has been a valuable tool for producing insights into viral pathogenesis and vaccine development. Large RNA virus genomes, such as from Coronaviruses, are cumbersome to clone and to manipulate in E. coli hosts due to size and occasional instability. Therefore, an alternative rapid and robust reverse genetics platform for RNA viruses would benefit … Read more

Here’s A Quick Way To Start Hacking Biology Using Synthetic Biology Tools

Here’s A Quick Way To Start Hacking Biology Using Synthetic Biology Tools

Biotech Without Borders is a Brooklyn-based non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to democratizing the practice of biotechnology for useful and peaceful purposes in order to benefit humankind and the planet.  According to the organization, “We believe that engaging the end users- all of us– in biotech through actual participation is the best way to ensure … Read more

Sean Parker Dumps Facebook’s Negative Network Effects For Synthetic Biology Cancer Cures

Sean Parker Dumps Facebook’s Negative Network Effects For Synthetic Biology Cancer Cures

In 2015, Sean Parker announced a $600 million personal contribution to launch the Parker Foundation. The organization focuses on three areas: Life Sciences, Global Public Health and Civic Engagement. Soon thereafter, Parker donated $250 million by way of a grant from the Parker Foundation to create the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy in 2016. People … Read more

Here Is NSF’s Solicitation For Semiconductor Synthetic Biology For Information Storage And Retrieval

Here Is NSF’s Solicitation For Semiconductor Synthetic Biology For Information Storage And Retrieval

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Divisions of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems (ECCS), Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF), Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB), and Materials Research (DMR) announces a follow-up solicitation on the Semiconductor Synthetic Biology for Information Storage and Retrieval Program (SemiSynBio-II). Future ultra-low energy storage-based computing systems can be built on … Read more

How Gene Therapy Works

How Gene Therapy Works

The genes in your body’s cells play an important role in your health — indeed, a defective gene or genes can make you sick. Recognizing this, scientists have been working for decades on ways to modify genes or replace faulty genes with healthy ones to treat, cure or prevent a disease or medical condition. Now … Read more

The Tricky Business of Regulating Biology

The Tricky Business of Regulating Biology

Policies regulating biotechnology are slow to adapt to the fast-evolving innovation of genetic engineering. originally published June 30, 2016 by Brooke Borel In 2015, a plant pathologist at Pennsylvania State University successfully used new gene editing technology to delete a relatively small bit of DNA from the genome of a white button mushroom. The result: … Read more