Nature is packed with designs that are so well made, we copy them (bioinspiration). In addition, some designs we found in nature after we came up with technology that looks mighty similar (which is what I call biosimilarity). This third show, in a series of three casts, talks about the best source for these designs. […]
The Amazing Cell!
A couple of years ago, I came across a presentation given at one of the TED conferences by a Drew Berry. If I would have a guess, many non-biologists would be really bored with a talk on cell division, right? But no, not this one, it was most interesting, using computer animation, he exposed the […]
Life’s New Language
Artistic DNA molecule. Flicker/Keith Ramsey For one who follows the world of biological news, one but can’t help but have seen the news flash of “alien DNA” being incorporated into bacteria. It seems that many are praising the scientists as if it were some great and humanitarian leap for our progeny. However, is the hype […]
Molecular Robots
Molecular robots. What are they? How do they work? Are they ethical? A piece written by Heather Zeiger, a bioethicists, gives all the lowdown on how they work and the ethics behind them. While she goes into detail on how they work (read her article for more in depth explanation), I just want to give […]
Double Function: DNA Code and Duons
Cells are the “building block of life”, they form organisms. Inside, DNA resides, storing the instructions that tell how to build proteins. Protein are made up of something called called amino acids. The instructions in the DNA are called genes. However, the DNA has other functions as well, it regulates some of the cell’s activities. DNA code […]
Mesmerizing Molecular Machines
One of the most amazing things one can learn about in biology are molecular machines. Every time I read about them or see an animation of one, their design blows me away. In the cell there are many tasks that need to be done, molecular machines come to the rescue. These tiny machines do every […]