DailyDirt: Tiny Drug Factories
from the urls-we-dig-up dept
Brand name pharmaceutical drugs are ridiculously expensive, but how much does it really cost to manufacture a drug? A potentially low-cost method is to use microorganisms — which are plentiful — to synthesize chemical compounds. For example, synthetic insulin is now made using genetically modified bacteria. Here are a few other examples.
- Are you depressed? You can use open-source DNA code from the Registry of Standard Biological Parts to genetically engineer yogurt bacteria to make Prozac. The process takes 4-5 days, and anyone can purchase the DNA code online. [url]
- Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have created a strain of bacteria that can incorporate artificial amino acids into proteins at multiple sites. This could be used to engineer bacteria to produce a variety of synthetic chemicals. [url]
- Green algae could be a cheaper alternative to bacteria in the manufacture of therapeutic drugs. While bacterial cultures require lots of energy and nutrients to maintain, the algae need only sunlight and carbon dioxide in the air. [url]
- To discover more interesting science-related stuff, check out what’s currently floating around the StumbleUpon universe. [url]
By the way, StumbleUpon can recommend some good Techdirt articles, too.
Filed Under: algae, chemical synthesis, dna, drugs, gm bacteria, microorganisms, pharmaceuticals, proteins
Comments on “DailyDirt: Tiny Drug Factories”
Amazing
I can’t wait until we are able to make our own drugs using things like those microorganisms and nano-bots, in some kind of micro-medical device. And make our own tissue, organs and whole body parts from our own DNA by using 3D printers.
I love the phrase “open-source DNA code”. So much glorious hubris! The Tower of Babel’s got nothing on Prozac.
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I can see the torrents now:
Prozac (1977) Anti-Depressant, double helix 1080p -Drugrip
This is much more useful…
Making Sudafed from Crystal Meth…
http://boingboing.net/2012/02/27/scientific-paper-of-the-day-h.html
It might be slightly easier than trying ot get sudafed form a pharmacy
DNA piracy…now there’s an idea…
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Please note: it a joke.
I hope some fool doesn’t actually try making it and ending up with meth.
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umm, if they start with meth, i’m pretty sure that whatever they end up with, won’t still be meth.
On that note, let’s breed a bug that makes meth…
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You didn’t understand, they’d first have to make Crystal Meth. After which, they’d try using the instructions from the parody paper, but since those are fake, all they’ll have on their hands is the meth they started with.
http://www.tuurvanbalen.com/
I like the pigeons pooping detergent part 🙂
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cool now when a pigeon takes a crap on your new jacket it will actually end up cleaner than it was before 😀
It just occurred to me that making homemade yogurt using store bought yogurt as a base – something that has been done for generations already – is actually illegal under today’s copyright laws. Especially since most store bought yogurts now use genetically modified bacteria. To think that my poor old grandmother could be dragged before a magistrate for her heinous crime against humanity!
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No first you’d have to score crystal meth, which has alot less restrictions than getting ahold of Sudafed.
“A Simple and Convenient Synthesis of Pseudoephedrine From N-Methylamphetamine, by O. Hai and I. B. Hakkenshit.”
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“all they’ll have on their hands is the meth they started with.”
Here’s another fine meth you’ve gotten me into…
Very usefull. I’m going to cook some aspirin… 😉
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It’s a travesty is what it is. Twisting nature to suit our desires is a fundamental human right, and these corporations are trampling all over it.
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Monsanos business model?