Text 6 Scientists Build a Custom Chromosome

Baltimore, MD. – Scientists have built a custom chromosome – a package of genetic material assembled entirely from synthetic DNA.

This engineered chromosome belongs to yeast, but experts say it can help them understand how genes work in humans as well. And it could help make these tiny living factories better at producing everything from medicines to biofuels.

In a lab at Johns Hopkins University, students stitched together machine-made strands of DNA, the chemical that carries the genetic blueprints of life.

Their goal: to assemble all 6,000 genes in the genome of yeast.

Johns Hopkins geneticist Jef Boeke leads the class. He said yeast does familiar jobs, like turning grapes into wine, but they also do more than that.

 “We have yeast that is used not just to make alcohol and bread, but also all kinds of chemicals, medicines, vaccines and fuels. And I think we’re going to see more and more of this in the future,” said Boeke.

 And with genetic engineering, Boeke said, scientists could help yeast do those jobs better.  Plus, these one-celled creatures share about a third of their genes with us. Studying their genes can teach us a lot about ourselves.

 Like us, yeast cells keep their genetic material in bundles of DNA known as chromosomes. Think of each chromosome as a book of genetic instructions, Boeke said.

 They engineered the new chromosome to let researchers shuffle genes around like a deck of cards.

“Some will have winning decks at making biofuels and some at making some other useful product,” he said.

Researchers say they are careful to consider the ethical implications of re-writing the code of life, but Boeke adds that his students are learning the basic tools of modern biology and getting excited about the possibilities.

“We could teach them how to do something at once very practical but at the same time amazing and unique,” said Boeke.

Macintosh Cornwell, a student at Johns Hopkins, said it’s helped him prepare for a career in science.

“The range of skills you learn and the amount of experience you get in such a small time period, it’s invaluable, really,” said Cornwell.

He and his class are on the cutting edge of this new world of biology. (+Steve Baragona, www.voanews.com)

Text 7 Scientists Revisit Power from Potatoes

This could very well be the magic formula for future power generation. Yes, scientists are busy crafting what is now called as “solid organic electric battery based upon treated potatoes.” These are absolutely eco-friendly batteries – based on the hidden powers of potatoes – which will be an economical answer to the growing power needs of developing and developed countries.

There are still places in the world where basic infrastructure for lighting and other electrical needs is insufficient. The researchers at Hebrew University are now trying to create magic out of humble common potatoes to provide a solution for generating power to meet this need.

It is the salt-bridge capacity that is latent in treated potato tubers which makes them the ideal medium for generating power easily and economically. An easy process of electrolysis is used in the construction of the simple yet efficient battery. A slice of our ordinary potato, zinc and copper electrodes are all that go to make the battery. By boiling the potato, the electric power is increased 10 times more than with the non-boiled potatoes, and the longevity is also greatly increased.

The principle scientists use to better the performance of the traditional batteries is almost similar. The less the salt-bridge resistance in the potato-power battery, the longer and more efficient the batteries are.

The treated potato power batteries (with low power electricity) were used to power LEDs. These telecommunications transfer information in the developing non-OECD populated areas. Where there is insufficient access to proper electrical infrastructure, these eco- and environmentally friendly green generators of power will be found useful.

Prof. Haim D. Rabinowitch, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food & Environment and Alex Golberg, School of Computer Science & Engineering, Hebrew University, jointly with Prof. Boris Rubinsky, University of California, Berkeley, carried out the research – sponsored by Yissum Research Development Company Ltd, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The research was into electrolytic process in living matter that can be used for many applications, including generation of electric energy like for self-powered implanted medical electronic devices.

Cost-wise also potato-powered batteries are more viable. The 1.5 volt D cells and Energizer E-91 cells proved to be more costly – about 5-50 times more than these vegetable powered cells. Not only potatoes but other treated vegetables can be utilized to provide clean and inexpensive green energy. But potatoes win hands down as vegetable of choice to power the battery due to their high production and easy availability. (www.alternative-energy-news.info)