New Cell-To-Cell Communication Process Could Revolutionize Bioengineering

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New Cell-To-Cell Communication Process Could Revolutionize Bioengineering

Posted by samzenpus on Monday October 1, 2012 @05:49AM from the we-can-make-him-better dept.

Zothecula writes "The internet has revolutionized global communications and now researchers at Stanford University are looking to provide a similar boost to bioengineering with a new process dubbed "Bi-Fi." The technology uses an innocuous virus called M13 to increase the complexity and amount of information that can be sent from cell to cell. The researchers say the Bi-Fi could help bio-engineers create complex, multicellular communities that work together to carry out important biological functions."

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What could possibly go wrong? by gestalt_n_pepper · 2012-10-01 05:55 · Score: 4, Funny

Except perhaps, a population of schizoid zombies, giant mutant blue babies, or and army of 4-armed, forewarned lawyers.

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1. Re:What could possibly go wrong? by clam666 · 2012-10-01 05:57 · Score: 3
  
  There is no outcome to this that doesn't end up with all of us dead, or praying for depth. Wasn't this the same idea behind the movie "Mimic"? Bioengineering things without any thought to what would happen in the end?
  
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2. Re:What could possibly go wrong? by fahrbot-bot · 2012-10-01 09:13 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  There is no outcome to this that doesn't end up with all of us dead, or praying for depth.
  This is /. -- I pray for depth every day...
  
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  It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
3. Re:What could possibly go wrong? by SoftwareArtist · 2012-10-01 11:52 · Score: 2
  
  Just consider the frightening implications of this:
  ...Every cell in your body will now need its own IP address. We haven't even completed the transition to IPv6, and its address space is already at risk of being depleted!
  ...They've designed a new internet, and built viruses into the very lowest level of infrastructure! And you think malware is a problem today?
  This sounds like a disaster in the making.
  
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Oh Great by jmcwork · 2012-10-01 05:56 · Score: 2

Now we are going to have spam at the cellular level
Not a fan of Standford by bipbop · 2012-10-01 06:14 · Score: 3, Funny

Honestly, I'll wait until I hear something about research from Stanford. Standford isn't nearly as reputable, IMO.