22 Nov 2009

Bio Hacking Resources

From: http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000582.php


I've been expecting tools for basement bio hacks any day now for about 20 years. They are getting real close, although most of what you can do with this stuff so far is elementary, trivial and not very useful. Still, here are a few do-it-yourself gene hacking resources finally emerging. The prime users are artists and students. Not a bad start really.

-- KK

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Creative Biotechnology

 

Not yet at the level of a dummies' guides, this book supplies explicit instructions for executing basic genetic procedures with a minimum equipment. The couple of hacks sketched out (cloning a tree, starting a culture of your own skin) are enough to get your enthusiasm going. I wish the material was better organized, and I wish there was more of it. The book is handy, but the PDF of the book is free and immediate.

Creative Biotechnology
A user's manual
By Natalie Jermijenko & Eugene Thacker
20 pounds
Locus +17, 3rd Floor
Wards Building
31-39 High Bridge
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 1EW
UK

Creative Biotechnology, PDF

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BiotechHobbyist magazine

 

First stab by the same folks above for on online magazine. Feature recipes and context aimed at providing hands on experience with biotechnology.

BiotechHobbyist magazine

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Modern Biology catalog

 


The winter 2002 issue of the venerable hacker's zine 2600 had a decent article about bio-hacking.
Here is the $80 kit they recommend for introducing a firefly gene into an E. coli bacteria. It's made for classroom use, but will work fine at home.

Modern Biology catalog