Photoshop for DNA

pafischer writes "Forbes is reporting on a Biotech startup company trying to make DNA manipulation as easy as Photoshop. From the article: 'The goal is to move from having to merely tweak the proteins that are used as biotech drugs to being able to design them, even taking material from multiple organisms and using them to create new, functional genes.'"

This is the (relatively) easy part

[G4from128k]

Designing DNA to create a given protein is no big deal. The hardest problem is figuring out how the new gene/protein will act inside the organism. Biological systems don't have a nice layered OSI model for what connects to what -- its like nearly everything is a global-accessible variable so side-effects are a real problem. New drugs require huge amounts of R&D in the testing phase, not the synthesis phase.

I'd be more impressed if someone created an accurate in silico system for testing new drugs, rather than just designing new DNA sequences that MIGHT make useful new proteins that MIGHT make a useful new drug.

Leave genes to the geneticists

[drewzhrodague]

I agree that genes should be left for geneticists, but when your compiler, debugger, and emmulator/simulator check for bad or even icky results, it might actually be fun to toy with genes, in an neat visual way.

At least, I have fantasies about modifying vegetables, fruits, and bugs. I expect that wasps can be reengineered to produce complete reams of laser printer paper, even with a sealed paper wrapper. I expect that ants or cockroaches could be modified to clean your house, better than they do. I expect bacteria or other small folded shapes can be reengineered to spit-out carbon nanotubes, construct simple buildings, or eat trash and grow fuel-cell cartridges.

All this hinges on us being able to effectively "file/print" DNA molecules. It's fun to watch technology accelerate, I am one excited geek.

Re:This is the (relatively) easy part

[LWATCDR]

If you could do that the next step would be using genetic algorithms. You just plug in what you want to happen and then let the computer run test after test.
could get freaking scary.

Re:Plugins!

[dasunt]

Screw that.

Imagine what happens when DNA manipulation gets in the realm of being cheap enough for interested parties.

No more hiding pot plants in the cornfield: The corn itself will be full of THC. Want some cocaine? Have a genetically manipulated carrot.

The drugwar should be rather interesting when this happens.