S&S: Technology
- Pulling teeth from historyDNA from ancient teeth can help to yield information about our ancestors' health, diet and diseases
DNA from ancient teeth can help to yield information about our ancestors' health, diet and diseases
- Philip Hunter (ph{at}philiphunter.com) 1
Teeth have proven to be an excellence source of ancient DNA. New analytical tools are helping to exploit this treasure trove to address questions about the link between diet and health, and the impact of historical epidemics with clear relevance for human health today.
- © 2014 The Author
- Printing organs cell‐by‐cell3‐D printing is growing in popularity, but how should we regulate the application of this new technology to health care?
3‐D printing is growing in popularity, but how should we regulate the application of this new technology to health care?
- Howard Wolinsky (howard.wolinsky{at}gmail.com) 1
3‐D bioprinting of tissues and organs is becoming more feasible, but its widespread use raises legal and ethical challenges for which the regulators seem currently unprepared.
- © 2014 The Author
- A little hard to swallow?The use of nanotechnology in the food industry might be both boon and bane to human health
The use of nanotechnology in the food industry might be both boon and bane to human health
- Melissa Suran (mnsuran{at}u.northwestern.edu) 1
The food industry is exploring the use of nanotechnology to extend product freshness, detect bacterial spoilage and deliver additives. Yet critics and experts worry that there is a lack of knowledge about the potential risks to human health.
- © 2014 The Author
- 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
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