SciTech Digest - 11/2017.

SciTech Digest - 11/2017.
Abridged due to an exceptionally busy week.

Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2017/03/synthetic-yeast-20-human-crispr-editing.html

Synthetic yeast 2.0, Human CRISPR editing, Automated gene therapy, Mitochondria delivery, Synthetic DNA robot, Molecular switches, Single-atom magnet, Baidu speech synthesiser, Metamaterial radar imaging, Magnetic Mars shield.

1. Synthetic Yeast 2.0 Project
The Synthetic Yeast 2.0 project has produced the first fully designed, partially synthesised, made-from-scratch eukaryotic genome, building on synthetic bacteria work and offering a range of industrial applications https://www.wired.com/2017/03/synthetic-yeast-genome/.

2. CRISPR Edits Human Embryos
CRISPR has been used to edit and correct the mutations in the cells of viable human embryos, correcting the genetic disease beta-thalassemia for example https://www.newscientist.com/article/2123973-first-results-of-crispr-gene-editing-of-normal-embryos-released.

3. Cheaper Automated Gene Therapy
A new device called Prodigy automates the gene therapy process to genetically alter a patient’s cells - to treat disease or target cancer - before being collected and introduced back into the patient’s body much quicker and cheaper than manual techniques https://www.technologyreview.com/s/603762/this-lab-in-a-box-could-make-gene-therapy-less-elitist/#comments.

4. Mitochondria Delivery as Therapy
Proof-of-concept experiments show that healthy mitochondria can be delivered into different cells types in animals to provide healthy replacements for defective mitochondria, and combined with other methods for targeting and destroying defective mitochondria might provide an early stage rejuvenation therapy https://www.fightaging.org/archives/2017/03/a-demonstration-in-mice-of-whole-mitochondria-delivered-as-a-therapy/.

5. Synthetic DNA Robot
A DNA-powered micro-robot combines 27 molecular components inside a fluid vesicle and including membrane proteins bound to tags that can reversibly link to specific DNA sequences that in turn bind tags linked to microtubule proteins; when the DNA is activated a cytoskeleton forms that can deform in a cell-like manner http://spectrum.ieee.org/the-human-os/biomedical/devices/celllike-robot-programmable-with-dna. A platform that might be loaded with sensors, drugs, or other tools.

6. Molecular Switches
First, a single molecule switch has been demonstrated, a molecular tripod bound to surfaces supporting a molecular “cantilever” that can be reversibly switched into two different states mechanically and electrically https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-03/uok-sms031017.php. Second, light-driven molecular crystal motors have also been demonstrated https://www.oia.hokudai.ac.jp/blog/on-the-path-toward-molecular-robots/.

7. Single-Atom Magnet
The smallest magnet ever produced - a single atom - has been demonstrated and used to store and retrieve a single bit of data http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/nanotechnology/single-atom-serves-as-worlds-smallest-magnet-and-data-storage-device.

8. Baidu’s Synthetic Speech
Baidu has demonstrated a deep learning system called Deep Voice that functions as a text-to-speech system that can learn to talk in a few hours with little to no human interference https://www.technologyreview.com/s/603811/baidus-artificial-intelligence-lab-unveils-synthetic-speech-system/. This is an improvement on DeepMind’s WaveNet system.

9. 3D Radar Imaging with Metamaterials
A new metamaterial has been formed into a dynamic metasurface that functions as an antenna at radio wavelengths that can be used exert a range of precise controls over radio beams for much higher-resolution, cheaper, quicker 3D radar imaging and jamming applications https://www.technologyreview.com/s/603839/how-metamaterials-are-reinventing-3-d-radar-imaging/. Achieving this for shorter wavelengths would be transformative.

10. Magnetic Shield for Mars
An interesting proposal suggests that placing a 2 Tesla magnet at Mars’ lagrange point would shield the planet from the Sun’s solar wind and allow the atmosphere to thicken over time, greatly assisting any terraforming efforts http://www.nextbigfuture.com/2017/03/2-tesla-magnetic-shield-placed-at-mars.html.

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