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UC Berkeley Announces First "Bionic Chip"

ebibe writes, "Researchers at UC Berkeley will announce successfully creating the 'bionic chip.' Part living tissue, part machine, this chip is the first in which a biological cell is part of the actual electronic circuitry. The chip, which took three years to build using silicon microfabrication technology, has a wide range of potential uses, including new ways to treat genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis or diabetes, safer methods to test new pharmaceuticals for side effects and more complex bionic electronic circuitry. View the entire press release here."

126 comments

  1. i wonder? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    is this thing grits resistant? i mean, if i got one implanted 'down there' i hope it would withstand hots grits being poured on it...

  2. Yeah, but does it make that cool Bionic Man sound? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    :>)

  3. Re:Not a computational device? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Mabe they can make it into a memory device that literally "Grows" to make super hard drives (would this require brain tissue?) Hmmf.

  4. Re:And What Comes Next... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    resistance is futile

  5. DEAR SIR by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    DEAR SIR I AM WRITING IN COMPLAINT REGUARDING MY MODEL XJ410 ROBOTIC RECTAL IMPLANT. THE SERVO MOTORS CONTROLING THE ANAL OPENING HAVE LOCKED SHUT, RENDERING MY BOWELS UNMOVABLE. IN ADDITION, THE HOT HYDROLIC FLUID DRIPPING OUT OF THE RUPTURED SERVOS HAS LEFT A NASTY RASH AND NOTICABLE SCARRING. PLEASE SEND A SERVICE TECHNITION OR ISSUE A REFUND ASAP.

  6. you ass by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You just wasted a half hour of your life. You're so gay.

    1. Re:you ass by troller · · Score: 0

      At least I ain't an AC.

      --

      Moderate this down to (Score:-1,Troll)

      Trollz rool.

  7. I think it's an avalanche diode... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    like a zener, or a tunnel diode. It could even be a trollode. I could be wrong.

    1. Re:I think it's an avalanche diode... by Roofus · · Score: 2



      From what the guy you replied to describes, that would be a zener diode.

    2. Re:I think it's an avalanche diode... by TheGratefulNet · · Score: 2
      a zener is just a reverse biased regular diode that is beefed up to survive higher currents. I think ;-)

      but my main point was that there is on unidirectionality in cells; how could there be? why would there be?

      the idea is that if you put enough current thru it, the walls will open up. and once open, you can push/pull stuff thru the holes in the walls.

      maybe they should call it a sesame device, since when you put enough force thru it, the walls open up. ;-)

      --

      --

      --
      "It is now safe to switch off your computer."
  8. This is just what I need by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    to be able to pour more grits down my pants, pouring them faster than humanly possible. Levi's is going to have to improve on the grit capacity of jeans, or I'm going to have a real problem.

  9. I'll settle for an adamantium skeleton. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...plus superduper senses and immune system. I mean, how many robots / cyborgs has wolverine trashed in his life?

  10. Re:Its Borg!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Resistance is futile!!

  11. Re:a martyr once again by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
  12. dont be so fucking rude. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You forgot to say "thank you."

  13. yeah... ok... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ok, after they spend billions of dollars in research let's make sure they have no way to recoup that money. Good plan. If you don't want to send "amerika" your money, open your own research firm elsewhere, you dumbass.

    There is quite a difference between someone patenting something obvious and simple (amazon) and someone patenting something complex, into which they have invested huge amounts of time, effort, and money (berkley).

    1. Re:yeah... ok... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The funny truth about this is, the University gets the money. The researchers are held by the agreement they sign to get the grant money to fund the project. The UC system says that any patents (intellectual property of the university) are open to any body wishing to use it, and there is no exclusive partnership between the university and the body using the patent. So any one with the capitol can use the technology, but Berkeley will get some dough out of it.

      Order is not really order, merely the difference between the actual entropy exhibited and the maximum entropy possible

      --- K.S. Robinson

  14. Re:Gives me the heebie-jeebies... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Three lipstick lesbo cunt and butt plug with extremely large toys, a brunette gets blasted by the goo of two able studs and a hot young blond takes a throbbing ten inches to the base! All this and more in this slut-filled four hours of Super Clips.

  15. Re:Pricey... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    screw linux it'd have to be something a little more expensive than free for 6 million... i'd rather them lower the price give no o/s and think my own up for it :P

  16. Re:Not a computational device? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    something we can use convicts on deathrow and pedofiles for cool... that and the sickly... bah wait for them to die and you got dead brain... no good for me I'd rather a nice fresh one... mebbe make those vegetable people useful... oh wait dead brain... or at least most of it

  17. NO FAIR by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    my troll has much higher karma than you and i post to -1 by default (cmdrboffo must not like me).

  18. The end is near! (no, it really is :) ) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "[The anti-Christ] also forced everyone, small and great ... to receive a mark [smart card?] on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark" - Revelation 13:16

  19. Borg Technology..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I hope I'm not watching too much Star Trek,....but this might turn into something like cyborg in the future. This technology both fascinate me as well as scares the hell out of me.

  20. This is Borg technology! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Borg technology! We will all be borg! Borg borg borg! Borg borg borg borg borg borg borg. Borg. Ernest Borgnine. Borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg rgborgborgborgborgborgborgborgborg. Borg. In french it's borgue, in Spanish it's borgé (to rhyme with jorge).

    In conclusion, borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg. This is borg technology, and soon we will all be like borgs!

    There, now that we have established that this is borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg technology, maybe we can talk about SOMETHING ELSE PLEASE??

    PS: borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg borg. Borg. This is borg technology, it scares me so!

  21. open source by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The first report of the technology will be published in the February issue of the journal Biomedical Microdevices. UC Berkeley applied for a patent on the technology last summer and is in the process of licensing it commercially.
    -------------
    Isn't better to license it royalty free?

  22. UCB rocks by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    LSD, Unix, bionic chips...

  23. Re:And What Comes Next... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hmmm I wonder if this is how the Borg got started... Seriously though, what mental/emotional effects could this kind of technology have as it advances? Not to mention social, look at breast implants! If the technology advances to a state that people are augmenting there bodies with things such as hyper active muscles or, imagine, a brain booster, could we see something out of Gattaca? Food for thought AG Heh will think for food!

  24. Moderators on Crack binge again by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Slashdot moderators are notoriously obsessed with crack and other mind-alterind substances. Hence they waste their points moderating down worthy posts because they are bored. Even though there is a whole sea of trolls to moderate. Can't we screen our moderators? Give them a psych test, and if they're stupid don't give them any points? please?

  25. Pricey... by cpt+kangarooski · · Score: 2

    For six million dollars it had better run Linux ;)

    --
    -- This and all my posts are in the public domain. I am a lawyer. I am not your lawyer, and this is not legal advice.
  26. Re:Patent brilliancies, yet again... by Eric+Smith · · Score: 2
    C'mon for fsck's sake... this is UNIVERSITY RESEARCH, and it's *vital* technology to mankind. Get your greed out of the picture.
    Have you considered that part of the reason people do research like this is that there's some chance to make some money on it, both for the personal benefit of the researchers (sometimes), and for the benefit of the institution, which helps them fund more research?

    Patents only last 20 years (currently, in the US). I doubt that anyone is going to die in the next 20 years due to the technology being patented, that would otherwise have been saved.

    I'm unhappy about the patent system, but my reason is primarilly that they issue too many patents on obvious stuff. I haven't seen the patent application for this, and biochemistry is not my field, so I have no way to judge whether this stuff is obvious or not.

    My other gripe is that the patent office grants patents on genetic sequences that exist in nature. To my way of thinking, those don't constitute "inventions".

  27. Re:Read the release, heading is misleading by Zagadka · · Score: 1

    Anybody see the movie Gattica?

    Actually, it's Gattaca . The title only has four letters: G, A, T and C.

    But the trouble in Gattaca wasn't with corporations misusing the technology. It was with society not accepting those who weren't altered by the technology.

  28. Yesssss! by pen · · Score: 1
    Am I the only one who understands what this means?! No more condoms! Just put up a net of sperm- (or egg-) killing cells/nanites, and you're set!

    :)

    --

    1. Re:Yesssss! by the+phantom · · Score: 1

      I hate to burst your bubble (or con... oh, nevermind), but you still have other things to worry about, like, say AIDS.

  29. Cell replacement service needed by doomy · · Score: 2


    Oh darn! my living cell microchip is dead..

    "Hey there sir, would you care come over here and bend, I need a tiny prostrate cell if you dont mind"


    --

    --
    ...free your source and the rest would follow...
    1. Re:Cell replacement service needed by fabjep · · Score: 1

      Yeah! Prostrate cells. Knock those little buggers over. - good natured fun-poke

      --
      - learn mathematics - shoot dope -
  30. A name by HP+LoveJet · · Score: 3

    Has anyone thought about calling this thing a biode?

    --
    spawn_of_yog_sothoth
  31. Interesting technology by Ravenscall · · Score: 3

    This is an interesting technology, and I wionder about the other uses beyond genetic engineering. What with the new work they are doing with stem cells to combat diabetes (http://www.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/02/28/health.stemc ells.reut/index.html) such ' smart cells' if you will, could be genetically altered to introduce all manners of items int a subject. Think of a genetically altered cell made to produce insulin with the chip controlling the flow based on blood sugar for diabetics. Another thing to watch though is how the immune system reacts to these items.

    --
    You say you want a revolution....
  32. commercial applications by Abstract · · Score: 1

    > He said first commercial applications could begin within the year.

    Anybody got a clue which companies have licensed this technique?

  33. And What Comes Next... by jenniferj · · Score: 1

    It sounds great. Am I an alarmist if I say this scares me a little, too?

    1. Re:And What Comes Next... by purefizz · · Score: 1

      This may sound a bit scary, but the one of the main purposes of such a device was to aid gene therapy. So, if you think about the possible cancer cures out there... this may be a huge blessing. However, gene therapy may have some alternate destructive uses as well. I'm sure the FDA would intervene if anybody tried to go too far.

      Personally, I think human dna mapping projects could be a lot scarier. Gattaca may have been an extrapolation of existing events at the time of it's creation, however, the predicition may not end up being too far off the mark!

      Visit uMoo - http://www.uMoo.com/ Yeah, more useless junk...

    2. Re:And What Comes Next... by troller · · Score: 0

      I love you. You love me. We're a happy troll family.

      --

      Moderate this down to (Score:-1,Troll)

      Trollz rool.

  34. Patent brilliancies, yet again... by mindslip · · Score: 1

    The press release forgot the sentence:

    "...then, in a move about as brilliant as sticking your head in a vat of boiling oil, the university went ahead and applied for a patent on this so that no one in the human race can benefit without someone in amerika becoming rich off it."

    I keep finding more and more reasons to hate the usa. C'mon for fsck's sake... this is UNIVERSITY RESEARCH, and it's *vital* technology to mankind. Get your greed out of the picture.

    mindslip

  35. Been there by Kaufmann · · Score: 0

    Someone else has already mentioned this, but he got moderated down and won't be seen, so I'll say it again: this story was on Slashdot on 26/02 ("Mating human cells with circuitry"). Way to go.

    --
    To the editors: your English is as bad as your Perl. Please go back to grade school.
  36. Re:Read the release, heading is misleading by Kaufmann · · Score: 2

    The title only has four letters: G, A, T and C

    ... which just happen to be the initials of the four nitrogen bases which make up DNA. Is it possible that I was the only one who noticed that? Naah.

    --
    To the editors: your English is as bad as your Perl. Please go back to grade school.
  37. Ars Techinica has the bad news... by kerouac · · Score: 2

    They STILL haven't worked out that bug that made Lee Majors (and Farrah) sound like a turbine
    everytime they ran and stuff.

  38. beware the BFOD by Evro · · Score: 1
    When your lungs stop working because of the BSOD, you'll get a bad case of BFOD (blue face of death).

    Imagine the effect UCITA would have on the software that runs these things? "His heart stopped because we forgot to close a parenthesis? Oh well, according to the EULA we're not responsible! Sorry, chuck! Better luck next time!"

    _________________

    --
    rooooar
  39. Re:At Last! by weaver · · Score: 1

    Perhaps if these chips were compuational devices. They are micro labs, used to study cells (the cell is a diode, at best).

    No embedded CPU's here.

    Later,
    Mike

  40. Not really computation by weaver · · Score: 3

    According to the press release, the cell is not a computational unit, but rather the subject of the chip. The chip allows the researcher to 'open' the cell membrane on command.

    The possibilities of drug testing, genetic research, and just plain science are impressive. I wonder if the knowledge of how specific voltages open cell membranes could be used in nano tech work. Imagine a 'bionic' chip used to open cell membranes to allow the nanites to enter harmlessly.

    To take it a bit further, imagine larger nanites that open cells in situ allowing smaller nanites to slip in to do their work (or proteins or some such). Very cool.

    I expect it'll be a bit for any real applications come out of this, however.

    Take care,
    Mike

    1. Re:Not really computation by cave76 · · Score: 1

      It is a very interesting concept. In theory, it would be very useful, as mentioned, in cystic fibrosis, etc. But I would worry about the effects of having a device within a tissue that is carrying a current. I would imaging that in an actual tissue, the voltage would stimulate nearby nerves...which wouldn't take much...which could result in all sorts of arythmias, ventilation problems, problems in regulation of blood flow to organs, and lots of others. I don't see how they could work around this unless the chip itself could somehow be placed outside the body tissues, as a pacemaker is.

      Mike

    2. Re:Not really computation by spencerogden · · Score: 1

      outfile << "Happy membrane! Die Cancer!";

    3. Re:Not really computation by MicroBerto · · Score: 1

      According to the press release, the cell is not a computational unit, but rather the subject of the chip. The chip allows the researcher to 'open' the cell membrane on command.

      #!/usr/bin/perl -w
      open(CELL, ">the_cell");
      print CELL "happy membrane! die cancer!";
      close(CELL); #not necessary, but i like it.

      Mike Roberto
      - roberto@apk.net
      -- AOL IM: MicroBerto

      --
      Berto
    4. Re:Not really computation by MicroBerto · · Score: 1

      "According to the press release, the cell is not a computational unit, but rather the subject of the chip. The chip allows the researcher to 'open' the cell membrane on command."

      #include "fstream.h"

      int main()
      {
      ostream out_file;
      out_file.open("cell_file");
      out_file "Happy membrane! Die Cancer!"; // i forget if this syntax is right
      return 0; // return YO MAMA! HAHA
      }

      note - why isn't slashdot letting me post my brackets? my cout can't work!

      Mike Roberto
      - roberto@apk.net
      -- AOL IM: MicroBerto

      --
      Berto
  41. Re:Read the release, heading is misleading by rmull · · Score: 1

    No, you're not the only one. If I remember, the title sequence in the film makes that pretty obvious. But I might just be pulling that out of a different orifice.

    --
    See you, space cowboy...
  42. DNA...wow by SEWilco · · Score: 1

    They think this will let them introduce DNA into a cell? Good. It will be nice to be able to do genetic engineering without having to use a virus to penetrate the cell.

    1. Re:DNA...wow by SEWilco · · Score: 1

      Actually I was thinking about the possibility of altering a single cell in the lab, growing it, and implanting it. Such as GM bone marrow transplants, liver, pancreas, and stem cells. And other ones as we learn to keep more of them alive in vitro or create them from stem cells.

    2. Re:DNA...wow by SEWilco · · Score: 1

      Yes, you'd need a gene-splicing DNA configuration. At least without the cell-piercing part of a virus package the GM DNA would not be infectious.

    3. Re:DNA...wow by deglr6328 · · Score: 1

      the purpose of using a virus as a vector to introduce new genes in a cell is that they can change MANY cells in a short amount of time. unless you plan on inserting cells one by one into this chip.....

      --
      - "Hear that?! The percolations are imminent! Cease your ingress!"
    4. Re:DNA...wow by maastrictian · · Score: 1
      The points the other responce to this post brought up were correct. Additional problems are:

      Sure, you can introduce DNA through a cell membrane.. but you can't get it into the nucleus where it will do any good (at least in eukaryotes)

      Even if you could get it into the nucleaus, unless the DNA is spliced into existing DNA nothing is going to be done to it.

      Virus's do both these things for you.

      --
      --Chris
  43. Bionic chips. by Matt2000 · · Score: 4

    "...researchers announced that the new sophisticated chips could be on the market as early as next year and would have a wider range of more powerful flavours. The Sour cream and onion variety will be released at 9x its original flavour, while BBQ should be over 11x. Researchers say that the flavour multiple should increase rapidly as they move to a 0.1 mm ruffle process.

    Hostess' law states that flavour will double every 18 months while number of chips in a bag will half. Researchers have been worried lately that they may have been reaching the physical limits of flavour packing, but these newly announced bionic technologies should allow for further improvements."


    Hotnutz.com - Funny

    --

  44. That's nothing... by JatTDB · · Score: 2

    There's so many dirty glasses, plates, bottles, and other assorted trash around my (non-covered) box that there's gotta be all sorts of microbes growing inside my box...and given the fast evolutionary cycle of microorganisms, I'm sure there's at least a few that have learned to integrate with my machine. At least it gives me something to blame wierd shit on.

    --
    "That's Tron. He fights for the Users."
  45. Re:It's slavery! by nutsy · · Score: 1

    Filling in for Signal 11?

  46. This doesn't seem to important, IMHO by Invicta{HOG} · · Score: 2

    Is it just me or is this announcement less than overwhelming from a clinical science perspective?

    Aside from basic science research, I can see very little application for this kind of device. Introducing molecules into cells is indeed a problem at times and a specific gate would indeed be helpful. However, simply using an electrode to open voltage gated protein transporters/pores does little to help because there are literally hundreds of different pores that would be affected by such a whole-cell transient voltage clamp. There are probably applications for measuring cell reaction in response to hyper/de-polarization. However...

    Gene therapy. I don't see how this is applicable. The cell transformation would have to take place in vitro - the number of diseases in which this is helpful are quite limited. In addition, the current ability to process one cell at a time seriously limits the utility of this device in most diseases where large cell populations need conversion for clinical efficacy. Someone mentioned stem cell conversion: this would (more than likely) help in converting these cells. However, it seems that successful reimplantation requires more than would be feasible with such a specific device. I suppose that it could be made into a huge grid for mass conversions, but I would be interested to know how they would expect to test conversion in such a case.

    In any event, I suppose this is a first. However, as far as gene therapy goes, I feel that the current vectors (retroviruses, AAV, lipids, etc.) hold more promise due to the built-in cellular specificity possible, their built-in capacity to (often) incorporate into the genome, and the sheer numbers of gene conversion events possible. Not to mention the size and possible immune issues restricting this device's in vivo use.

    Invicta{HOG}

  47. Some thoughts... by British · · Score: 5

    Hey I can't wait until i can instal linu..... naw, too easy.

    Oh great, this is the beginnings of the bor.... nope, too geeky.

    Hey I could turn myself into a human Beowu.... nahh, too abstract.

    What would happen if a vir..... uh uh, too obscure.

    What would happen if this ran Windo..... ah screw it.

  48. Read the release, heading is misleading by be-fan · · Score: 5

    The heading (actually the title given to it by the university) is a little misleading. What we have here is not biological computing devices, for example like the ones that use a slugs brain cell to compute, but a new way to get at the cell. It will probably be more usefull to genetic engineering than anything else. (It says the cell opens and closes in a millisecond, which is an aweful long time.) That out of the way, I think this is really what is needed to take genetic engineering to the next level. By having a "door" as the article put it, into the cell, genetic engineering can take place much more easily. Although this current technology of integrating the cell into a chip will be great for experiments, this technoglogy can also be taken to the point where cells can be operated on directly, perhaps with some sort of probe. This does, however, raise again the ugly question of ethics and science. Anybody see the movie Gattica? (An awesome movie by the way) If something goes wrong with this technology (ie corperations get a hold of it before educational institutions) then Gattica might not seem so much like science fiction.

    --
    A deep unwavering belief is a sure sign you're missing something...
    1. Re:Read the release, heading is misleading by Bruce+Parens · · Score: 1
      In itself, this is also a spectacular opportunity. Initial reaction to the first biological diode will make possible. The reason this is relatively easily forestalled by maintaining compatibility (and consequently lowering both entry barriers are the first part of the chip and act as a diode. An almost equally important payoff of open source is likely to have ownership of a relatively weak prop the sale value couples strongly to development and the bazaar development communities. The pragmatist values having good tools and fun toys and an interesting explanation for the first question, few or none for the era, lots of universities bought them.

      Thanks

      Bruce

      --

      Thanks

      Bruce
      Have you checked out TECHNOCRAT.NET?

  49. Meta Moderation by erpbridge · · Score: 1

    We do screen the moderators, albeit after the fact. It's called Meta Moderation.

    Once you're logged in, you see a link at the top of your main Slashdot page that says "Have you tried Meta Moderation?" Click on that, and you are given 10 moderations from a previous group of posts. You get to choose if these moderations were fair, neutral, or unfair.

    This is who watches the watchers. The question now becomes: Who watches the ones who watch the watchers? The answer: H & CT

  50. Not a computational device? by Silicon_Knight · · Score: 1

    Hrm... I guess computer viruses now have a new meaning.

    But, seriously... if they can use this to manupulate DNA in cells, can't they use this as a "processor" enviroment for DNA computing? There are problems that can be solved much quicker using DNA computing than traditional silicon approach.

    -=- SiKnight

  51. More comments.... by smallstar · · Score: 1

    To read more comments on this, click here. (It's a link to the same story posted by CmdrTaco a week ago).

  52. Is this a randomly generated post? by The+Moniker · · Score: 1

    Either is my brain is running on low gear or the post I'm replying to (Bruce Parens, #99) is automatically generated babble. Could it be an attempt to discredit Bruce Perens (with an "e"), the person behind technocrat.net? Anyway, to respond to the meta-meaning of this garbage, cheap and easy biotech is not something that I forsee bubbling down to the garage/hacker level in the coming years. Comparing writing computer code to writing genetic code is like comparing doing math exercises to cooking over the phone in a dark kitchen without knowing what ingredients you have.

  53. Re:Been there, seen that by BMIComp · · Score: 0

    Hmmm, but lets see... if I was a moderator... sure, I'd moderate that redundant, but then again... i'd moderate you as offtopic! =P

    But keep in mind, replying to something that is offtopic usually gets you moderated too... oops.

  54. Ramblings by BMIComp · · Score: 0

    Sure, a nice invention... but it'll never be as good as my perpetual motion machine, which was discreted by those damn scientists... YOU PHYSICISTS HAVE TO LEARN THAT THE LAWS OF THERMONUCLEAR PHYSICS DON'T ALWAYS APPLY!#)$*^&@#

  55. Sounds interesting... by Eruantalon · · Score: 1

    but what would this really open up as possible? The press release doesn't say much about implications. Still, I'd assume it'll be years before anything useful hits any market other than the government.

    Oh, and an off-topic section: I'm posting this using M14, and besides the fonts, I must say it's pretty damn good.

    Eruantalon

  56. Re:At Last! by Eruantalon · · Score: 1

    Aw sweet - I can imagine running around in a fully-interactive Quake arena using nothing but yourself and a few thousand of these bionic chips. Now that would be a useful implementation...

    Eruantalon

  57. Re:At Last! by Eruantalon · · Score: 3

    Yeah, I read that after posting. Guess I'll have to read first from now on...

    Anyways, so since it seems that this will be more beneficial to genetic engineering than anything else, I wonder if we should be worried about this. It'll probably be used to research diseases, cell functions, genetics & genetic defaults. Still, I can see problems with religious groups, crazies trying to engineer new diseases to wipe us off the face of the earth, and (even less likely) secret government studies trying to biologically control us all. But seriously, I'm sure there'll be some well-founded moral objections to the technology. Besides, research in human cloning became illegal in the USA soon after Dolly, why shoule we expect this technology to stay legal? All it needs is some lab somewhere in the world to start making genetic changes, and religious/moral groups will be all over the government to make this illegal as well.

    Eruantalon

  58. It's slavery! by Tim+Behrendsen · · Score: 2

    What kind of civilization do we have that we celebrate a poor living cell being forced to be a gateway for electrical current. How do we know that these cells don't long to be free, to be able to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of Amoeba happiness?

    I am appalled. Appalled! We must storm the lab, and free these poor nuclei from the savage brutality of bondage.

    Who's with me? Light your torches, and follow me! FOLLOW ME!!


    --

  59. Can I get a mute button soon? by MicroBerto · · Score: 3

    It has been my goal to get a mute button for my ears, think this will help? How great would it be when there are idiots blabbin and i don't wanna hear it, to just hit a little button behind your ear and have dead SILENCE? I can't wait.. :)

    Mike Roberto
    - roberto@apk.net
    -- AOL IM: MicroBerto

    --
    Berto
    1. Re:Can I get a mute button soon? by anotherone · · Score: 1

      How about an MP3 player? screw silence, let's get some Rage Against The Machine going in my head!

      Make Seven

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    2. Re:Can I get a mute button soon? by djrogers · · Score: 1

      I'd actually prefer a /. style moderator gizmo.. imagine, being able to moderate your boss down so nobody could hear him!

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      Think outside the... Hey, where'd the friggin' box go?
    3. Re:Can I get a mute button soon? by Ig0r · · Score: 1

      I think, given enough practice, a nice, strong hammer blow to the ears would give the desired effect. :)
      Of course, when they're blabbing, and you have a hammer in your hand...

      --
      Soma: because a gramme is better than a damn.
  60. "Bionic" computing? by ahogue · · Score: 2

    As stated elsewhere, this isn't really "bionic" computing at all - just a step ahead in genetic engineering and peering deeper into the cell. There've been discussions and research into other areas of biological computing that come much closer to what we might call "bionic," such as using strands of DNA or protiens. However, these have thus far been limited to specific problems, such as computing the shortest route between two cities or similar problems.

    The challenge (imho) to biological computing, if it's ever to be widely useful, is to generalize it. Is DNA Turing complete? = )

  61. Re:alrighty then! by imAck · · Score: 1

    Hey, we already are there...anyone ever watch the Weather Channel!? I'm convinced that if there is any underground attempt to integrate cyborgs into society, that this television station is the testing grounds; Just watch whenever the "five-day forecast" is on...

    --

    It's hard to tell the cool to chill, my favorite hotel room has a view to an ill.

  62. Gives me the heebie-jeebies... by Count+Spatula · · Score: 2

    However, I am definitely for more experimentation and research in bionics. The scary part is Pentagon involvement. Or any military institute, for that matter. I would not be at all suprised to see further research in bionics declared "secret" by the State Dept., simply so they can get direct military applications from any future advancements, and deny information to the "Red Menace". Let's all hope that it doesn't happen this way.

    In the mean time, sign me up for Wired Reflexes (L2), Datajack and Skillwires (L1)...

    --
    -- Count Spatula: The Culinary Vampire "...because my cooking sucks."
    1. Re:Gives me the heebie-jeebies... by Fruan · · Score: 1

      >>In the mean time, sign me up for Wired Reflexes (L2), Datajack and Skillwires (L1)...

      Jeeze! that is going to *screw* your essence!

      I would much rather be able to play with the fabric of space/time with my mind than have bits of metal stuck in me :o)

      --
      Shawn Poulsen (Fruan)

      "On Slashdot, many obvious things are insightful." - Annonymous Coward, 2000/7/9

  63. Re:Since when (-1, Flamebait) by billybob+jr · · Score: 1

    I wish moderators would follow the guidelines and spend more points moderating up what they like, and less moderating down. IMO, moderating down should only be for worthless posts. "Redundant" shouldn't even be an option for moderating down. Mods down should be for flamebait, and trolling. Even then, some troll posts should still probably be left alone. Let's mod up the good ones, and create a slashdot that is the intersection of all our likes, instead of one that is a union of all of our dislikes.

  64. FEED ME!! by the+phantom · · Score: 1

    Wow, this brings new meaning to the Tomogochi :) You could acctually create a "digital pet" that requires feeding, bathroom breaks, etc. Just don't tell my younger sister, though, because I really don't have the money to get her one of these for her birthday this year.

  65. All Right! by BlueGecko · · Score: 1

    Now I can single-handedly beat Team Slashdot in SETI!

  66. change of cell types? squid perhaps? by quick_dry_3 · · Score: 1
    While the biochip is really more useful for bio/genetic enginbeering purposes, surely it would be possible to change the cell type to obtain a chip useful in more situations - ie faster rate of change.

    For many applications, a millisecond is just too long, if instead a nerve cell, say a squid's - which are amongst the very fastest (its in a New Scientist from a year ago) were to be used, then the chip could become more than simply a slow acting gateway for mostly gene therapy purposes.

    of course, now that I think of it, except for these purposes, what are you going to do with it?

  67. Re:Let's home it's embeded OS is stable. by Anonymous+Sniper · · Score: 1

    now, if I can just stop the blue-screen-of-death every time I *look* at a tux, i can install Linux.

    ...and its a pity Linux 2.6 doesnt support bio-USB, because when it does, I'll be able to use those new 2.0 legs I just got!

  68. Refining an old technique by Jello7 · · Score: 4
    The "bionic chip" is basically improving on an older technique commonly used in molecular biology called electroporation. Basically, a cell is shocked with electricity and pores open up in the cell membrane. This is usually done to allow large biomolecules to enter the cell, such as engineered DNA. The problem with this approach is that it is usually done quite crudely with not much fine-grain control. This new chip gives us this computerized fine control.

    The way I see it, the "bionic chip" technology will be useful mainly in gene therapy, not as much in genetic engineering (there are already easy enough ways to engineer genes). For a patient with a genetic disorder, like cystic fibrosis for example, a sample of lung tissue cells could be taken and a working copy of the CFTR chloride channel protein gene could be introduced. The cells would hopefully start producing proper protein and would then be re-introduced to the lung, where it would hopefully have a positive effect.

  69. Prostate cells? by milliyear · · Score: 1

    Why prostate cells? I can think of a whole range of human cell types that are MUCH easier to access than Prostate cells. What are they working towards - Electronic Viagra?

    Why do we need to genetically engineer prostate cells? Built in vibrators? Pushbutton orgasms?

    BTW, Where's the 'Do Not Try This At Home' message?

  70. Let's home it's embeded OS is stable. by kwsNI · · Score: 3
    Just think, if the chip has Windows installed as the embedded OS, we'd be in trouble. I'd hate for a critical bio-organ to have a fatal exception in the middle of doing something.


    Oh shit, my heart has stopped responding. It may be busy waiting for the End Task Dialog box to come up. Press any key to wait or Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart.

    kwsNI

  71. Its Borg!!! by wood · · Score: 0

    Join the collective.

  72. Kinda scary... by JohnMilton · · Score: 1

    From reading the press release, it seems that the main thing that can be done is to open and close the cell membrane on command. How much further can this be taken, though?

    I personally find it REALLY scary that someday someone could be able to control my cells with a remote control. Imagine the potential for abuse..."We can cure your cystic fibrosis, but you have to allow us to put millions of little computers on every cell in your body."

    Who's going to be controlling these things? The doctor, the patient...will the government have the ability to control them? I don't trust any of these people to control the basic functions of my cells. My DNA is doing a darn fine job, thank you.

    It really not the technology that scares me (I think it's actually kinda neat) it's who's in control, that's all.

    Okay, I can't help it..."We are the Borg."

  73. Ladies and Gentleman, the $65 man! by BiggestPOS · · Score: 2
    Ok i want the laser eye, the unbreakable skeleton, and a suit like spawns. Upgrade? Yeah, i'll go ahead and bump up to the LS model for the sunroof and cd player.

    --
    What, me worry?
  74. At Last! by jailbrekr2 · · Score: 1

    I can finally fufile my dream of getting pectoral implants, among other things.....

    Alternately, imagine combining this technology with 802.11 wireless. Who needs a wireless mouse or keyboard? Hell, I wouldn't even need my pectoral implants.

    JB

    --
    Feed The Need[goatse.cx]
  75. NOT a diode; more like a 'diac' IIRC by TheGratefulNet · · Score: 2
    a diode conducts current in only one direction.

    I believe a back-to-back pair of diodes (one forward- and one reverse-biased, wrt the first one) have the property of not conducting current until a threshold voltage is reached. and once reached, current flows in both directions.

    so I think its not accurate to call a cell a 'diode'.

    maybe you could call it a pair of diodes ;-)

    --

    --

    --
    "It is now safe to switch off your computer."
  76. $6,000,000? by Ogre332 · · Score: 1
    So when can I expect to be able to jump meter's into the air with my bionic legs?

    --
    Shut up brain or I'll stab you with a Q-Tip. - Homer Simpson
  77. I'm nanotechnologically ignorant... (off topic) by kblix · · Score: 1

    Forgive me for asking a somewhat dumb question, but what exactly are nanites? Are they tiny chemical machines (like protiens, viruses, etc.) or are they mechanical machines? Are there any good readings you people know of that could enlighten me a little?

    --
    "Going to church makes you no more a christian than sleeping in your garage makes you a car." --Loosely paraphrased, Ga
  78. Since when (-1, Flamebait) by uebernewby · · Score: 2
    Since when is stating the obvious flamebait?

    Fact: this same story was posted here on 26/02 (`Mating human cells with circuitry).
    It was rightly posted here. It's an interesting topic.
    Then if it's posted here AGAIN the message that points out it was posted before is considered to be flamebait?
    I understand the need for moderation, but this is fucked. Betcha it was the guy who posted the story who moderated the original comment down.

    --

    News and bla for computer musicians: http://lomechanik.net/
  79. Been there, seen that by uebernewby · · Score: 4

    Yup, it's inspiring news to be sure. Too bad the same story was also posted here on Slashdot on feb. 26 (Mating human cells with circuitry).
    Goes to show story submissions should be moderated as well: -1 redundant.

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    News and bla for computer musicians: http://lomechanik.net/
  80. This is old news by trollking · · Score: 0

    Was not this already posted here? I heard about this on CNN a week ago.
    Thank You,
    Troll King

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    1. Re:This is old news by trollking · · Score: 0

      YuPpErZ


      Thank You,
      Troll King

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    2. Re:This is old news by troller · · Score: 0

      IS YOUR DEFAULT SCORE 0 ALSO?

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    3. Re:This is old news by troller · · Score: 0

      I regard it as an honor.

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  81. poor QA dept by whoami · · Score: 1

    I don't mean to be negative, but those wires could handle alot of power. How many watts are they pumping through that thing? I guess it's not TTL ;) As far as the soder points are concerned, what the heck was that particular grad student doing when s/he was connecting those wires with what, a TIG torch. You would think that a top notch research university would be able to attract fully competent students. Sorry to rant....

  82. 300 dpi? by fabjep · · Score: 0

    I know this is really irrelevant, but I thought the first "300 dpi" picture was really funny. Apparently they know how to zoom in photoshop.

    --
    - learn mathematics - shoot dope -
  83. alrighty then! by DeXtR · · Score: 1

    hey when do we start seeing, the start treck borgs showing up? im just curious. we're not that far ahead now

    --

    Istigkeit -"is-ness" being and becoming & i'dfiying it with the mathematical abstraction of the idea

  84. a martyr once again by Jesus+Christ · · Score: 0
    Wow, these are some high-quality comments. Not a troll in sight... until now. I have decided to die on the karma cross for your sins. Here goes:

    Check out this ASCII PUSSY: {O}
    Check out this ASCII PUSSY: {O}
    Check out this ASCII PUSSY: {O}
    Check out this ASCII PUSSY: {O}
    Check out this ASCII PUSSY: {O}
    Check out this ASCII PUSSY: {O}
    I want some of that!!

    Moderators: I think that this is "offtopic". Not "flamebait", you fucking morons. Oops, now I guess it could be either one. Just moderate me down and get it over with.

    I am the Lord.

    --

    I am the Lord.
    God Hates Moderators.

  85. Re:jesus H christ! by Jesus+Christ · · Score: 1

    You are supposed to be a virgin, you cannot like pussy. Also, aren't you gay?

    A common misperception. Check out this post of mine from a few days ago, in which I deal with that issue.

    I am the Lord.

    --

    I am the Lord.
    God Hates Moderators.

  86. i will assimilate you by r��t · · Score: 1

    I want to be a borg. Just think - enhanced vision, hearing, and just perceptions in general. Also, your brain synapses could be MUCH closer together (allowing for faster processor speed) and, of course, you'd be a lot more 'fixable' since your body would be a lot of technology that you could just build a copy of. I say bring on the telescoping vision and pneumatic legs!

  87. Re:First by troller · · Score: 0

    WTF?

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    Moderate this down to (Score:-1,Troll)

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  88. Re:First by troller · · Score: 0

    -WTF?

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    Moderate this down to (Score:-1,Troll)

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  89. Re:First by troller · · Score: 0

    Trolls unite. We must fight for our rights.

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    Moderate this down to (Score:-1,Troll)

    Trollz rool.

  90. Re:First by troller · · Score: 0

    Whos your daddy?

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    Moderate this down to (Score:-1,Troll)

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  91. Re:First by troller · · Score: 0

    I'm your daddy.

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    Moderate this down to (Score:-1,Troll)

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  92. Re:First by troller · · Score: 0

    Fsck, my karma's too high: -13.

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  93. Re:First by troller · · Score: 0

    Hello. Any moderators home?

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  94. Re:First by troller · · Score: 0

    Apparently not.

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  95. Re:First by troller · · Score: 0
    HaHA

    HaHA

    HaHA

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  96. Re:First by troller · · Score: 0
    WTF?

    "Lameness filter encountered. Post aborted."

    Discrimination!

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  97. Re:First by troller · · Score: 0
    This is stoopid.

    Something is wrong: parent=54 dups=1 discussion=00/03/01/1732203

    Duplicate. Did you submit twice?

    Let us know if anything exceptionally strange happens

    What's with these annoying messages? All I wanted to do was to say "!".

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  98. Re:First by troller · · Score: 0

    Slashdot poll: How often do you troll?

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  99. Re:First by troller · · Score: 0
    Until my account is disabled.

    Ha. Ha.

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  100. Re:First by troller · · Score: 0

    Looks like the moderators have given up on me. Darnit, my karma's still -13.

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    Moderate this down to (Score:-1,Troll)

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  101. Re:First by troller · · Score: 0

    Have any of u trolls reached -100? I need some role models.

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