Who wants to be an amateur molecular biologist?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ryan_m_b
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Amateur Molecular
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the emerging field of DIY biology and the bio-hacker movement, particularly focusing on the feasibility of creating a home molecular biology laboratory at low costs. Participants explore various technologies, tools, and kits available for amateur molecular biology, as well as the implications of these developments for both personal experimentation and broader applications, such as in developing countries.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express skepticism about the practicality of DIY biology despite advancements, while others show enthusiasm for the potential of low-cost home labs.
  • Lab-on-chip technology is mentioned as a means to improve lab work and diagnostics, with some participants noting its relevance to the DIY movement.
  • Various DIY kits for DNA extraction and sequencing are discussed, highlighting their affordability and accessibility.
  • There are humorous suggestions about building optical tweezers from everyday items, with references to existing DIY projects developed by researchers.
  • One participant emphasizes the potential for DIY biology to create low-cost solutions for health and well-being in developing countries.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express a mix of skepticism and optimism regarding the DIY biology movement. While some see the potential for significant advancements and applications, others remain cautious about the challenges, particularly regarding reagent costs and practical implementation.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations related to reagent costs and the need for ingenuity in overcoming these challenges. The discussion also reflects varying levels of enthusiasm and skepticism about the future of DIY biology.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in amateur biology, bio-hacking, low-cost laboratory solutions, and the implications of DIY biology in global health contexts may find this discussion relevant.

Ryan_m_b
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Insights Author
Messages
5,964
Reaction score
727
It looks like the bio-hacker movement are a step closer to their dream as one man tries to make a http://www.mlo-online.com/features/201112/tips-from-the-clinical-experts/the-quest-for-the-500-dollar-home-molecular-biology-laboratory.aspx.

I've always been in two minds about DIY biology, I've had friends in the past that have always advocated that it will be easier in the future but I've remained sceptical. Now I'm not so sure.
 
Biology news on Phys.org
Pythagorean said:
what about http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lab-on-a-chip
Lab-on-chip technology is cool but whenever I've encountered people working on it the goal has been to speed up or improve lab work or provide bedside diagnostic equipment. What impresses me about this article is that someone has gone to the effort of getting a bunch of equipment and done it for a cheap price using resources available to the public. An issue he hasn't gotten around OS reagent cost but I suppose if people are that keen about their hobby they'll fork out.
 
http://www.educationaltoysplanet.com/dna-science-kit.html
Extract your own DNA for $20.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006J31ME/?tag=pfamazon01-20
This kit seems to be discontinued, but you can sequence/map DNA for $200

http://store.discovery.com/detail.php?p=86249&v=discovery
Paternity tests for $35
 
Last edited by a moderator:
So when's Andy Resnick going to give us DIY optical tweezers? :smile:

Build your own by taking apart your CD player?
 
Ryan_m_b said:
It looks like the bio-hacker movement are a step closer to their dream as one man tries to make a http://www.mlo-online.com/features/201112/tips-from-the-clinical-experts/the-quest-for-the-500-dollar-home-molecular-biology-laboratory.aspx.

I've always been in two minds about DIY biology, I've had friends in the past that have always advocated that it will be easier in the future but I've remained sceptical. Now I'm not so sure.

i really wish i could get into mit or stanford for this stuff. its amazing. i went to one of the igem events at mit in the past. def the coolest stuff out there now.
 
atyy said:
So when's Andy Resnick going to give us DIY optical tweezers? :smile:

Build your own by taking apart your CD player?

Sorry for the delay- that joke about time existing to keep everything from happening at once is a *lie*.

Anyhow, Mara Prentiss (Harvard) developed a DIY tweezer for undergrad labs using opposing fibers- two fiber pigtailed diodes and no lens:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...sg=AFQjCNH3-yMjko_W0BwnG9kcffUpfM3NlQ&cad=rja

and rumor has it that someone figured out how to make an optical trap using light from an iPhone- I can't reveal my source on that one.

I bet you could make a trap using the optical head of a CD/DVD writer- the lens has a high enough NA and if the source is clean... something to try over winter break :)
 
Andy Resnick said:
Sorry for the delay- that joke about time existing to keep everything from happening at once is a *lie*.
:smile:

Andy Resnick said:
Anyhow, Mara Prentiss (Harvard) developed a DIY tweezer for undergrad labs using opposing fibers- two fiber pigtailed diodes and no lens:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...sg=AFQjCNH3-yMjko_W0BwnG9kcffUpfM3NlQ&cad=rja

and rumor has it that someone figured out how to make an optical trap using light from an iPhone- I can't reveal my source on that one.

I bet you could make a trap using the optical head of a CD/DVD writer- the lens has a high enough NA and if the source is clean... something to try over winter break :)
Fascinating - thank you!
 
Have to say that the $500 home lab is very impressive. I'm sure that the issue of reagent costs can be circumvented in some manner with enough time and ingenuity.

The avenue for DIYbio that really interests me is in developing low-cost products/methods for use in the developing world. It's there where I think the capability will really begin to make an impact on people's well-being.