Monday
VR Adventure:
Alright, so I did get the controller in, and I did start working out in VR again, but man, let me tell you, after the funeral, I had a massive work conference for a new job, and this was just not the week to know what was going on!
So this week, we’ve just got memes and the deep dive. To quote the Bard: “My diet starts next week.”
Today’s Awesome:
I’ve been meaning to investigate more about this since I heard of a company that does synthetic biology. It’s pretty dang broad but involves everything getting cells to do your work for you to recognizing cells that are cancerous and turning against them. It’s like treating biology like software, which is just as terrifying and promising as it sounds.
For Your Consideration:
Tuesday
Today’s Awesome:
Here is an overview at a more accessible level to newcomers like me.
For Your Consideration:
Wednesday
Today’s Awesome:
A look at possible horizons of synthetic biology.
A quote on why it’s difficult:
As yet, very few small molecules in medicine are manufactured using a synthetic biology process; it remains very difficult to engineer microbes to carry out processes that Nature did not intend. This is to be expected: the performance of microbes is “good enough” from an evolutionary perspective. Microbes evolved to address the specific needs and challenges of their natural environments not those of industrial fermenters and bioreactors.
For Your Consideration:
Thursday
Today’s Awesome:
There are already companies raking in millions in revenue (note, not necessarily profits), from synthetic biology. And there are quite a few.
For Your Consideration:
Friday
Today’s Awesome:
Here is the homepage of one of those companies, which wants to be the company that other companies use for their synthetic biology. In other words, they’re trying to be the synthetic biology platform that helps other companies. Meet Ginkgo Bioworks.
For Your Consideration:
Saturday
Today’s Awesome:
One interesting application: make fertilizer on the spot. It could be a tremendous source of diminishing greenhouse gases. Although, I’ll admit, I would feel more comfortable spreading nitrogen on soil than spreading around a microbe that make nitrogen. Feels like some sci-fi plot point waiting to happen.
For Your Consideration:
Sunday
Today’s Awesome:
We can’t forget one giant side of synthetic biology: replacing meat. That’s right, Impossible Burger is a poster child for using synthetic biology. Shoot, put that in all of McDonald’s and Burger King’s burgers.
For Your Consideration:
BONUS!!!
Monkeypox curls single protein spike as man wishes to “stop hearing about COVID”
Outro:
Nope, not gonna check the weight after such a terrible week. We will Monday though, so stay tuned!