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Stanford Bioengineers Create Rewritable Digital Data Storage In DNA
An anonymous reader writes "You don't hear too much about biological computing but in research published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, scientists reveal they have devised the genetic equivalent of a binary digit (full article, freely available) — a 'bit' in data parlance. 'It took us three years and 750 tries to make it work, but we finally did it,' according to Jerome Bonnet, of research which describes, a method for repeatedly encoding, storing and erasing digital data within the DNA of living cells."
Sweet. This means I no longer have to worry about losing my thumb drive - I'd just plug myself in!
Now, where should I put the pr0n folder...
we sure won't help you! (we wouldn't even if you did know!)
I RTFA'ed about 3 times. I'm a biologist. I don't get it. It's much more interesting from a biological perspective than a digital media perspective, where it is functionally useless. You're never going to see a "cell drive" in computers. And copying data (by cell division) can take hours.
Placing pieces of data in DNA /must/ affect the creature. Any word on localizing or minimizing those effects?
Where genius and insanity become confused true wisdom is found
...Johnny Mnemonic was doing that 20 years ago...
I always wondered what a "bit" was. I'm glad the summary was able to explain the "digital parlance" to me....
So, when do I start getting paid to carry people's data around in my head?
Finally! I can make my Artificial Intelligence algorithms into a living thing!
I can backup my BDs in my urine and feces!
Sent as ripples into the electromagnetic field. No single photon has been harmed in the process.
This digital data storage could get both technological and biological viruses! I wonder what the crossover will be like... You thought bird flu jumping to pigs then humans was bad....
is Everywhere!
John Alpha already used this technology!!
So what if this has been done before already?
From this article:
http://www.psrast.org/junkdna.htm
More than 98 percent of all DNA, was called "Junk DNA" by molecular biologists, because they were unable to ascribe any function to it. They assumed that it was just "molecular garbage". If it were "junk", the sequence of the "syllables", i.e. the nucleotides in DNA should be completely random.
However it has been found that the sequence of the syllables is not random at all and has a striking resemblance with the structure of human language (ref. Flam, F. "Hints of a language in junk DNA", Science 266:1320, 1994, see quote below). Therefore, scientists now generally believe that this DNA must contain some kind of coded information. But the code and its function is yet completely unknown.
Bonnet has now tested RAD modules in single microbes that have doubled more than 100 times and the switch has held. He has likewise switched the latch and watched a cell double 90 times, and set it back. The latch will even store information when the enzymes are not present. In short, RAD works. It is reliable and it is rewritable.
When the microbes double, the bit is copied. Just wait until the RIAA finds out!
And it only takes a week to write 8 bits of data
There, and I thought my ISP's bandwitdh was awful.
Singularity: a belief in the "God" idea with the "demiurge" relation inverted.
I feel that this is the first step towards integrating with the Zerg Hive.
Rush! Kekekekekekekekekekekeke.
This reminds me of a fantastic book called Blood Music by the science fiction author Greg Bear. In the book a geneticist working on biochip development develops a system for storing and transmitting information between single cells using DNA and RNA. He creates cells that are able to communicate and incorporate elements of RNA and as such optimise themselves to overcome environmental challenges. He soon sees the emergence of rudimentary intelligence on a cellular basis, but is shut down before he can pursue his experiments further. He smuggles his creations out of the lab by injecting them into his own body, which proves to be a perfect environment for the development of full intelligence....
Demonstration of genetic memory concept of the Goa'uld from Stargate?
So how long before we get a driver that can turn this data into biological functions? Say, over-riding the optical and aural sensors on demand.
I want to be able to rickroll my grandchildren. DAILY.
Maybe they could bio engineer a smart slash dot poster, one that doesn't have to put their politics into everything. One that doesn't bash the US every chance they get and think its funny saying things like faux news, like every news site is honest in America isn't hell bent on some agenda? One that doesn't constantly bash capitalism while collecting a check made from profits. Or maybe one who stops comparing the Tea party to nut cases while holding up OWNS as non criminals. Hell even a smart one who doesn't believe in the great Global Warming religious scandal lie?
Damn it.
This article reminds me of the STNG episode "The Chase"
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be-T J
Pissing in a cup will show traces of illegal content usage!
Those downloading movies and music in their DNA, think twice ..
--- I am known for the ones who want to find me on the net. Is that a privacy risk or a privilege? One might wonder..