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I just saw a totally awesome news piece on TV about Biohackers. The video I saw doesn’t seem to be on their news website, so I’ll explain the term:

Scientifically inclined youngsters are setting up do-it-yourself biology laboratories at home. Likened to self-trained computer hackers, these enthusiasts — self-styled biohackers — browse online catalogues of DNA parts and order them from small commercial labs. With self-modified household items and used equipment acquired online, they try to tweak bacteria or synthesise novel organisms in their free time.

How cool is that! Catching this story is a peculiar coincidence as I also happened to watch a TEDtalk last night presented by Bonnie Bassler, a professor of molecular biology who discovered that bacteria “talk” to each other using a chemical language, and how the future of antibiotics lies in manipulating bacteria molecules:

~ by Fionnlagh on August 2, 2009.

Posted in 👽 [F]-F I L E S, 📰 N E W S, 🔬 S C I E N C E/T E C H : N A T U R E 🌲, 🕶️ C O O L : S T U F F
Tags: A Japanese doomsday cult called Aum Shinrikyo did try to weaponise anthrax and Ebola, Biology Laboratories at home, Bonnie Bassler discovered that bacteria "talk" to each other, Bonnie Bassler professor of molecular biology, DIY Genetic Engineers aka Biohackers / and Bacteria, Genetic Engineers, Glowing Firefly Squid Beached Along the Japanese Coast, I Love Science!, I LOVE TEDtalks!!!, TED Talks, The future of antibiotics lies in manipulating bacteria molecules, The secret social lives of bacteria, this could be the democratising of technology, using a chemical language