S&S: Technology
- It's time to exploit your favorite quirky organism with new technologies
- Haruhiko Siomi (awa403{at}z2.keio.jp) 1
Progress in biology demands new technology and new model organisms. Modern techniques to manipulate gene expression mean we can select new organisms based on the relevance of their biology, rather than their genetic tractability.
- © 2014 The Author
- One organ at a timeResearch has been making much progress to create in vitro human tissues for transplantation but laboratory‐grown complex organs still remain decades away
Research has been making much progress to create in vitro human tissues for transplantation but laboratory‐grown complex organs still remain decades away
- Philip Hunter, Freelance journalist1
Advances in stem cell science have enabled scientists to grow human tissue from a patient's own cells for transplantation. Although the first simple organs and tissues have already been successfully transplanted, it will be decades before it is possible to grow complex organs such as the kidney or heart.
- © 2014 The Author
- Leafy biofactories: producing industrial oils in non‐seed biomass
- Craig C Wood (craig.wood{at}csiro.au) 1
Plant biotechnologists are developing a new option for the sustainable production of oleochemicals. The notion of crops producing industrial oils is not new, but the possibility of using leaves—not oilseeds—might be a surprise to many.
- © 2014 Commonwealth of Australia
- Self‐surveillanceShould you worry or simply embrace your personal data?
Should you worry or simply embrace your personal data?
- Laurie Frick, Artist (laurie{at}lauriefrick.com) 1
We can sequence genomes, track sleep patterns, record exercise levels and estimate health risks. But why? Perhaps art can help us take ownership of and learn from our personal data.
- © 2014 The Author
- “Genetically Modified Lite” placates public but not activistsNew technologies to manipulate plant genomes could help to overcome public concerns about GM crops
New technologies to manipulate plant genomes could help to overcome public concerns about GM crops
- Philip Hunter, Freelance journalist (ph{at}philiphunter.com)1
New technologies that create genetically modified plants without transferring foreign genes may help to overcome public concerns, but they are unlikely to convince anti‐GM activists to give up the fight.
- © 2014 The Author
- From promise to practiceThe role of synthetic biology in green chemistry
The role of synthetic biology in green chemistry
Synthetic biology has the potential to profoundly change the way we produce many chemicals, as well as to reduce the environmental impact of the chemical industry.
- Copyright © 2013 European Molecular Biology Organization
- Complex diseases require complex therapies
- Ravi Iyengar1
Understanding disease causes and drug action at the molecular and systems levels could help to identify combinations of drugs that are more effective than individual drugs alone.
- Copyright © 2013 European Molecular Biology Organization
- Toward a role model
- Roded Sharan1
With ever‐growing amounts of 'omics data, the challenge is to develop an automatic modelling pipeline that receives as input large‐scale data pertaining to the system of interest and outputs a complete, logical model that maximizes the fit to the given data.
- Copyright © 2013 European Molecular Biology Organization
- A Mobius strip of scientific imaginationHow deep does the relationship between science fiction and science go?
How deep does the relationship between science fiction and science go?
- Paige Brown1
From H.G. Wells to Star Trek, science fiction and science have had a long and fruitful relationship. But does science drive the imagination of authors, or do authors drive the imaginations of scientists?
- Copyright © 2013 European Molecular Biology Organization
- Had enough of that crummy stuff
- Howy Jacobs
The mobile internet, launched amid great fanfare, falls far short of scientists‘ needs and expectations. Howy argues that it's time for a rethink.
- Copyright © 2013 European Molecular Biology Organization
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