Current Events

A place to discuss the latest in genetics and biotechnology.

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Total Messages: 6

6	Enoch Yeung	13 Jan 2010 12:28 pm
	MIT biotech innovation suggests new way to test vaccines Hey, I just saw this on the MIT frontpage. Apparently, we can grow human immune cells in mice. This would offer a new way to test immune cell response to a de novo vaccine. Check out this link: "MIT BioTech Research"

5	emma	6 Mar 2007 9:55 pm
	biotechnology in artistic practice I am a Northwestern University student currently studying agitational practices in art. One thing that I am interested in is the use of biotechnology and science in art and I have heard many in the art world discuss their viewpoints but I am curious about the opinion on the matter of those on the other side, the scientists such as you. One specific example I can give is Critical Art Ensemble. This is a collective that deals in utilizing biotechnology in their practice in order to make it real to the average person and show them that they can be involved in discussion of the developments too. In their presentations they do actual scientific tests from DNA testing to experiments with lab altered organisms and testing food for genetically modified organisms (GMOs). One of the members of Critical Art Ensemble, Steven Kurtz, was arrested in 2004 on suspicion of bioterrorism. That year his wife died of heart failure and upon discovering her, Kurtz called 911 and the paramedics seeing all of the scientific equipment became suspicious called the police who the called the FBI who proceeded to arrest Kurtz on charges of bioterrorism. They seized not only Kurtz’s computer, petri dishes, and other scientific equipment, but also his wife’s body. Kurtz was illegally detained without being read his Miranda rights and in the end everything that Kurtz had in his possession was deemed completely safe, but $10s of thousands worth of his research was not returned to him and the case, as of yet not resolved, has become a federal case of mail fraud. I am curious as to what the response of the scientific community is to this case as well as the more general debate of whether science and art can or should mix. I am researching this as my final project in this class and would love to hear from all of you. Some possible discussion topics could be: The responsibility associated with the use of biotechnology and whether artists should be allowed to use it for non research purposes and without working towards its advancement. The accessibly of biotechnology and science to those not in the scientific community. The relationship between art and science. Is there one? Any reactions that you have to this topic are what I am interested in, no matter what tangent it may take. Thank you! For more information go to www.caedefensefund.org or www.critical-art.net

4	Elliott	18 Oct 2006 11:20 pm
	New techniques of DNA sequencing Here are some of the links I shared in my presentation today. http://www.454.com http://www.solexa.com Neither have the potential to do the output necessary for the X-Prize, but it is interesting to see the different techniques being explored.

3	lee	16 Oct 2006 6:59 pm
	Maybe we could do it... $10 Million Archon X PRIZE for Genomics Challenges Private Companies to Map 100 Human Genomes in 10 Days Washington D.C. (October 4, 2006) — The X PRIZE Foundation announced today the $10 million Archon X PRIZE for Genomics — A multi-million dollar incentive to create technology that can successfully map 100 human genomes in 10 days. The prize is designed to usher in a new era of personalized preventative medicine and stimulate new avenues of research and development of medical sciences. Rapid genome sequencing is widely regarded as the next great frontier for science and will eventually allow doctors to determine an individuals’ susceptibility to disease and even the genetic links to cancer. Mapping your genetic code is like taking an X-Ray allowing doctors to see inside your genetic past and eventually help determine your genetic future. Only after we have access to affordable and fast genome sequencing will we be able to take advantage of the countless benefits. This technology helps us refine and perfect our knowledge and practice of preventive medical treatments and procedures. Preventing disease is the next best thing to curing disease. This is the second major prize from the X PRIZE Foundation. In 1996, the Foundation offered the Ansari X PRIZE for Private Spaceflight. Until now, The X PRIZE Foundation has been considered part of the nascent private spaceflight industry. Exactly two years ago today the $10 Ansari X PRIZE for Private Spaceflight made world headlines when it was won by Mojave Aerospace Ventures, a team led by famed aircraft designer Burt Rutan and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Their winning entry, SpaceShipOne, is now the prototype for a new class of sub-orbital spaceflight. "The X PRIZE Foundation has created a unique philanthropic prize model designed to stimulate research and accelerate development of radical breakthroughs that will benefit humanity," explains Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, Founder and Chairman of the X PRIZE Foundation. "The Archon X PRIZE for Genomics will revolutionize personalized medicine and custom medical treatment, forever changing the face of medical research and making genome sequencing affordable and available in every hospital and medical care facility in the world." Three teams have already signed up for the competition. VisiGen Biotechnologies, Inc. is based out of Houston, TX and is led by Susan Hardin Ph.D., 454 Life Sciences is a Connecticut based company headed up by Christopher McLeod and the third team, which is made up of the Westheimer Institute for Science and Technology, the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, and Firebird Biomolecular Sciences LLC. They make their home in Gainesville, FL and Steve Benner is the team leader. Many other companies have inquired and more teams are expected to register soon.

2	Steve R.	13 Oct 2006 5:02 pm
	Nanopore sequencing Some articles on the subject of nanopore sequencing Speed Reading the Genome http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=17601&ch=biotech "If this technique works, it could mean DNA sequencing at extremely high throughput. Meller says arrays of 100 by 100 nanopores could sequence an entire human genome in an hour" ...and similar techniques for proteomic resesarch being developed at MIT: The Molecular Sieve to Sort Proteins http://www.medgadget.com/archives/2006/09/the_molecular_s.html

1	Elliott	18 Apr 2006 11:14 pm
	Gattaca, here we come. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medi...

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