Synthetic Biology : Discovery News

Google's 'Solve for X' Wants to End World Problems

Posted Tue Feb 7, 2012 11:05 AM ET | 0

A new think tank will foster radical ideas for big issues. Read more

Artificial Skin Made From Spider Silk

Posted by Nic Halverson Wed Aug 10, 2011 03:31 PM ET | 0

Researchers grafted human skin cells to frames meshed with spider silk. Read more

Phase Change Materials Bring Us Closer to 'Brain-like' Computers

Posted by Emad Hanna Thu Jun 30, 2011 09:12 AM ET | 0

Materials store memory and process information simultaneously, just like real neurons. Read more

Phase Change Materials Bring Us Closer to 'Brain-like' Computers

Did We Get Duped by the Poop Burger Story?

Posted by Nic Halverson Thu Jun 23, 2011 12:33 PM ET | 0

"Sewer" meat is not only plausible, it's been taste-tested. Yum. Read more

Did We Get Duped by the Poop Burger Story?

Bacteria Work as Hard Drives

Posted Mon Jan 10, 2011 01:00 AM ET | 0

Scientists have found a way to store, encrypt and retrieve complex data in the DNA of E. coli. Read more

Spray-On DNA Mist Used to Catch Criminals

Posted by David Teeghman Tue Oct 26, 2010 11:51 AM ET | 0

Spray-on DNA mist is now being used in the Netherlands to prevent crimes like burglary. Read more

It's Alive! Artificial Life Springs From Manmade DNA

Posted by Eric Bland Thu May 20, 2010 12:42 PM ET | 0

A team of scientists create the first real-life "Frankenstein" by injecting man-made DNA into a previously lifeless cell. Read more

Do Synthetic Biologists Play God?

Posted Thu May 20, 2010 07:56 AM ET | 0

In the lab, researchers are creating artificial, microbial life. Is that playing God? And, if so, is it wrong? Bioethicist Arthur Caplan gives us his take. Read more

Shrimp Eye Tech: Coming Soon to DVD?

Posted by Clark Boyd Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:20 AM ET | 0

This is quite a crustacean. It's called a mantis shrimp. Colorful little devil, huh? Well, get this. Humans see in three colors, but some species of mantis shrimp can see in as many as twelve. Yeah, I know. That's cool. ... Read more

Bright Bacteria Wins Synthetic Biology Competition

Posted by Eric Bland Fri Nov 6, 2009 04:37 AM ET | 0

Bacteria bright enough to see with the naked eye won the coveted BioBrick at this year's International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition. Read more

Beyond Genetic Engineering

Posted by Gene Charleton Thu Nov 5, 2009 01:54 AM ET | 0

A new breed of genetic engineers are using technology pioneered in genetic engineering to build whole new organisms. Listen to podcast to learn more. Read more

Human Genetic 'Switchboard' Mapped

Posted Thu Oct 15, 2009 09:35 AM ET | 0

A complete map of the chemical switches governing the operation of a human genome has been plotted for the first time, further extending the reach of medical research. Read more

Bacteria Engineered to Trace Faces, Images

Posted by Eric Bland Tue Sep 29, 2009 08:51 AM ET | 0

Bacteria are engineered to trace outlines of famous faces and images. Read more

Artificial Parts Could Reduce Animal Testing

Posted by Alyssa Danigelis Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:13 AM ET | 0

Whether you're against animal testing or not, at a certain point other mammals can't stand in for humans. Biologists in Germany hope the artificial organs they're developing can do the job instead. Human liver cells don't last much longer than ... Read more