Open Source, Genetically Engineered Machines From a Kit?

An anonymous reader writes "Students in an MIT competition are helping to build a dev-kit for cells. Together with synthetic biologists, they're building a Registry of Standard Biological Parts called BioBricks. They aim to do for cells what open source software has done for computers. 'The competition is a showcase for the burgeoning field of synthetic biology. Knight and his colleagues Randy Rettberg and Drew Endy, who created the contest in 2004, want to make biological systems easy to build by applying the tools of computer science and engineering: using standard parts and modular design to simplify complex systems. The goal is to create "genetic Legos" that could produce any chemical, from ethanol to pharmaceuticals.'"

Any chemical?

[rrohbeck]

Sweet. I can think of a few.

BioBrick? Please...

[theRhinoceros]

BioBricks? But 'Plasmid' and 'tonic' have such nicer rings to them...

Basic Programming Blocks?

[the_B0fh]

I just hope that these basic "programming" blocks do not turn out to be Windows.

Not the copyright holders.

[dotancohen]

Now that they've released it under open source, God is going to sue them for copyright infringement.

Just in time for Christmas!

[davidwr]

Announcer: Hey kids! How would you like a chemistry set for Christmas?
Kids: BOR-ING!
Announcer: A ray gun?
Kids: BOR-ING!
Announcer: How about the new amazing Bio-Bricks!
Kids: COOL!!!!!

Announcer voice-over with kids in background hunched over a petri dish full of Bio-Bricks: With Bio-Bricks your kids will have hours upon hours of enjoyment creating new life forms. Bio-Bricks are available at fine genetic research supply stores everywhere.

Announcer reading legal disclaimer:
Neither the International Genetically Engineered Machines Competition, MIT, Bejing University, or the government of China is responsible for improper use of Bio-Bricks. Serious injury, mutations, illness, death, or the end of life on Earth may result from improper use of Bio-Bricks. Using Bio-Bricks to create dangerous life forms is not recommended. Adult supervision required.

Re:Glub, glub

[TripMaster Monkey]

Oh please. They already have microbes that do that. They're called "yeast".

I'd be more interested in a more complex molecule...like, say, C20H25N3O. ^_^

Re:Ha! I love it

[Anonymous Coward]

That's okay, it won't be long now before you can grow a copy of his face to stick this paper into.

It was just a joke!

[greg_barton]

My daughter was born three months ago. My wife jokes, "She won't be allowed to date until she's 25!" I always add, "Yeah, and not until after she gets a PhD in Programmable Genetics..."

I was only half kidding. Now I'm not kidding at all. :)

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

About time too...

[syrinje]

...I, for one, welocme our synthetic Bio-Lego-lical overlords!