Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Online Artificial Gene Design

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the outdated-already dept.

massivefoot writes to tell us New Scientist is reporting that researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have released a new software suite, GeneDesign, that helps to simplify the steps in designing artificial DNA. From the article: "These key steps include translating proteins and amino acids - the building blocks which make proteins - backwards into a DNA sequence. Or the software can manipulate simulated DNA "codons" which can code for an amino acid. DNA codons are made of sets of three nucleotides - the fundamental molecules which link together to form a DNA chain."

6 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. I know this sounds like a bad sci-fi plot but... by The+RoboNerd · · Score: 1, Interesting

    So we put controls in place. That doesn't mean a rouge country with an axe to grind will. North Korean killer virus anyone? Replace "North Korean" with the rouge country of your choice.

  2. Will the source code be available? by CyricZ · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Does anyone know if they plan to release the source code? Indeed, it could prove to be a very useful resource to students studying bioinformatics, or other fields that combine biology and computer science.

    --
    Cyric Zndovzny at your service.
  3. Intellectual property by quokkapox · · Score: 4, Interesting

    So who is going to sue me when I design a gene to make Avastin and Herceptin? This will be the real test of our obsolete intellectual property regime, when the medical establishment's equivalent of the RIAA/MPAA sues cancer patients for synthesizing their own drugs, like the music industry is now suing your neighbor's kids.

    --
    it's a blue bright blue Saturday hey hey
  4. Re:I know this sounds like a bad sci-fi plot but.. by massivefoot · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Hmm, is that a serious threat though? You would need a quite competent biotech programme to produce biological weapons, and, frankly, with the state North Korea's in I doubt that they have such facilities.

    Besides, with their current suspected nuclear capability, would biological weapons really be that great an advantage? Remember the DPRK regime's main concern is warding off an invasion by the US, and in such a situation a nuclear weapon is a far greater threat than any biological capability.

  5. Re:I know this sounds like a bad sci-fi plot but.. by The+RoboNerd · · Score: 2, Interesting

    North Korea's in I doubt that they have such facilities. Like I said, substitute your favorite rogue (how's that mrpeebles ^_^) nation. Any country that lacks the expertise but has the will will eventually obtain the tech. How about a biological AQ Kahn network?

  6. Nice for basics by nucal · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Seems like a decent suite of web based apps for basic stuff.

    Although it is mainly protein oriented, there are several molecular tools available at ExPASy that I use a lot.

    Also, VectorNTI is now free if you join their user group. It's a really powerful suite for plasmid design and molecular analysis.