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Week 31: Back to VR
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Week 31: Back to VR

We dive deep into synthetic biology, aka, turning cells into factories.

Matt Waller
May 25
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Week 31: Back to VR
mattwaller.substack.com

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:

Twitter avatar for @henrykleeKTVUHenry K. Lee @henrykleeKTVU
NUT TODAY: This guy decided to use part of a green pistachio bag to create a fake registration sticker for his BMW, per @CotatiPD. “If I cashew making a bogus tab, I’m going to be very pistachio.” #NaughtyInCotati
Image
Image

May 25th 2022

5 Retweets30 Likes

Tuesday

Today’s Awesome:

Here is an overview at a more accessible level to newcomers like me.

a graphic outlining the potential opportunities and risks of synthetic biology

For Your Consideration:

Twitter avatar for @scottygbScott Bryan @scottygb
Errrr… what is going on with the BBC News ticker?

May 24th 2022

4,972 Retweets33,895 Likes

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:

Twitter avatar for @i_am_a_r0bot50 NFT United States @i_am_a_r0bot
@greg_doucette Been saving this for you
Image

May 23rd 2022

1 Retweet26 Likes

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:

Twitter avatar for @OKWildlifeDeptOklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation @OKWildlifeDept
Listen, bear spray DOES NOT work like bug spray. We would like to not have to say that again.

May 23rd 2022

29,906 Retweets266,451 Likes

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:

Twitter avatar for @shawsamSam Shaw @shawsam
Best American Short Stories, 2023.
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May 21st 2022

1,563 Retweets15,617 Likes

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:

Twitter avatar for @McDougallSophiaSophia McDougall, MSt @McDougallSophia
Wait. Y-you're saying we live in a country ruled by an unnaturally long-lived aristocrat who lives in a castle and fears garlic???

Scottish Express @ScotExpress

Garlic is prohibited in Buckingham Palace 🧄 Her Majesty has such a dislike for garlic that it is prohibited in the Palace. https://t.co/ytMZfrsmWU

May 22nd 2022

16,598 Retweets63,006 Likes

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:

Twitter avatar for @emily_murnaneEmily Murnane @emily_murnane
Sorry for my behavior last night, I was all hopped up on sport beans
Image

May 10th 2022

316 Retweets4,660 Likes

BONUS!!!

Twitter avatar for @GoodRedditgood reddit @GoodReddit
Image

May 20th 2022

20,353 Retweets290,480 Likes

Monkeypox curls single protein spike as man wishes to “stop hearing about COVID”

Twitter avatar for @danidonovanDani Donovan @danidonovan
i just realized my neopet would be legally allowed to drink no one talk to me for a few days okay

May 20th 2022

41 Retweets594 Likes
Twitter avatar for @alexgmurdAlex Murdoch @alexgmurd
i’ve started reading before bed instead of scrolling twitter and not only am i sleeping really well, but i also think i’m better than everyone

May 12th 2022

23,625 Retweets331,504 Likes

Outro:

Nope, not gonna check the weight after such a terrible week. We will Monday though, so stay tuned!

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