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Toward COVID-19 Testing Any Time, Anywhere
Toward COVID-19 Testing Any Time, Anywhere
Researchers are adapting CRISPR, synthetic biology, and other creative approaches to detect SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids outside of the lab or doctors’ offices, in the hopes of making diagnostics more affordable and accessible.
Toward COVID-19 Testing Any Time, Anywhere
Toward COVID-19 Testing Any Time, Anywhere

Researchers are adapting CRISPR, synthetic biology, and other creative approaches to detect SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids outside of the lab or doctors’ offices, in the hopes of making diagnostics more affordable and accessible.

Researchers are adapting CRISPR, synthetic biology, and other creative approaches to detect SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids outside of the lab or doctors’ offices, in the hopes of making diagnostics more affordable and accessible.

synthetic biology, techniques

Infographic: Building an Artificial Chromosome
Ruth Williams | Nov 1, 2019 | 1 min read
Integrating a specialized histone into large segments of transgenic DNA enables centromere formation.
Streamlined Artificial Chromosome Creation
Ruth Williams | Nov 1, 2019 | 3 min read
Recruiting an epigenetic instigator of centromere formation into large segments of cloned DNA facilitates their transformation into artificial chromosomes.
Timing and Order of Molecular Events Recorded in Live Cells’ DNA
Ruth Williams | Aug 22, 2019 | 3 min read
Genetic engineers have co-opted base editing machinery to enable information storage and processing in the DNA of bacterial and mammalian cells.
artificial intelligence ai synthetic nucleotides what is life definition of life
Opinion: How to Define Life
John D. Loike and Robert Pollack | May 2, 2019 | 3 min read
As artificial life forms become more sophisticated, we propose a simple list of criteria to determine whether synthetic biological organisms and robots are living beings.
Bioluminescent Bacteria in a Wifi Pill Track Gut Health in Pigs
Kerry Grens | May 24, 2018 | 1 min read
The micro-bio-electronic device combines bacteria that can detect certain molecules along with wifi-connected electrical outputs.
Top Technical Advances in 2017
Shawna Williams | Dec 24, 2017 | 3 min read
The year’s most impressive achievements include new methods to extend CRISPR editing, patch-clamp neurons hands-free, and analyze the contents of live cells.
Designer DNA
Rachel Berkowitz | Oct 1, 2017 | 7 min read
Computational tools for mapping out synthetic nucleic acids
Synthetic Stem Cells Regenerate Heart Tissue in Mice
Diana Kwon | Jun 1, 2017 | 2 min read
These engineered “cells” were made from the secretions and membranes of human mesenchymal stem cells.
Bacterial Photography Goes Technicolor
Erin Hare | May 22, 2017 | 3 min read
Genetically engineered "disco bacteria" sense and respond to different colors of light, creating both stunning art in the culture dish and new possibilities for synthetic biology.
Discovering Novel Antibiotics
Sandeep Ravindran | Feb 1, 2017 | 7 min read
Three methods identify and activate silent bacterial gene clusters to uncover new drugs
Top Technical Advances 2016
Kerry Grens | Dec 15, 2016 | 4 min read
The year’s most impressive achievements include methods to watch translation in cells, trace cell fates, avoid mitochondrial mutations, edit DNA, and build antibiotics from scratch.
Synthetic Sensors
Ruth Williams | Dec 1, 2016 | 3 min read
Engineered circuits detect endogenous transcription factors to drive cellular outputs.
Infographic: How to Build a Synthetic Sensor
Ruth Williams | Nov 30, 2016 | 1 min read
Scientists designed a genetic sensor-and-readout system, based on detecting a transcription factor, that performs a custom cellular activity.
Proto-Organelles for Synthetic Cells
Ruth Williams | Dec 1, 2013 | 2 min read
Researchers construct lipid-encapsulated compartments within synthetic cells.
Next Generation: In Vivo Drug Factories
Sabrina Richards | Aug 13, 2012 | 3 min read
Researchers use UV light to stimulate protein production in nano-sized delivery capsules in mice.
Move Over, Mother Nature
Amber Dance | Jul 1, 2012 | 8 min read
Synthetic biologists harness software to design genes and networks.
Garage Innovation
Rob Carlson | Jan 1, 2011 | 3 min read
The potential costs of regulating synthetic biology must be counted against putative benefits.
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