Redefining Open Source for Synthetic Biology

Abstract:

Synthetic biology is an emerging technology combining information technology and biology. One notable presumption of synthetic biology is that scientists, with the assistance of computers, can create new life form without using naturally occurring organisms as references. However, it may be an overstatement in practice, because, even a single-base variation in a genome might dictate whether the synthetic organism could survive. Unlike the open source in information technologies, the open-source movement in synthetic biology raises biosafety concerns. The Article proposed a modified version of open source for the development of synthetic biology.

 Download article here: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1990113

Another introduction to synthetic biology

Title says all (click here) : 

Open source.com : BioCurious? The DIY garage biology movement

Would you enjoy reprogramming lab bacteria with DNA from a jellyfish to make them glow green? How about hacking your own genetic data to find out what percentage of the Neanderthal genome you share?  Or building a device that splits water into oxygen and hydrogen? Read more : http://opensource.com/health/12/1/open-labs

Synthetic biology helps to develop "greener bombs"

"The objective of this Statement of Need (SON) is to develop innovative synthetic biological approaches to produce critical U.S. military energetic ingredients and their precursors using renewable resources and bioprocesses that reduce hazardous waste streams, energy usage, and waste disposal costs encountered with the existing conventional organic manufacturing processes. Both fundamental research to develop approaches applicable to these classes of compounds as well as applied research targeting a specific energetic compound or precursor is of interest."
Read more here : http://www.serdp.org/content/download/12059/146147/version/2/file/WPSON-13-04+Synthetic+Biology+for+Energetics.pdf

Introducing Synthetic Biology - by iGEM Team TU Munich 2011

NSF : A Call to Arms for Synthetic Biology

Scientists have replaced all of the DNA in the arm of a yeast chromosome with computer-designed, synthetically produced DNA that is structurally distinct from its original DNA to produce a healthy yeast cell.


Read more : http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=121639&WT.mc_id=USNSF_51&WT.mc_ev=click

The Brown Lab's complete guide to microarraying for the molecular biologist.

I found this one http://cmgm.stanford.edu/pbrown/mguide/ while looking for articles on how to build your own DNA micro array. The software download link appears to be broken. However, I think you can get the software here http://en.bio-soft.net/chip/ArrayMaker.html

j5: automated DNA assembly software

I have been playing around with this tool, quite fascinating. More on it here : http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110816133115.htm


Excerpt  "The j5 software package is a Web-based computer application that automatically designs and optimizes state-of-the-art DNA construction protocols," Hillson says. "Within minutes it can determine the optimal flanking sequences that should be attached to each DNA part to produce the desired recombinant DNA at the least expense, in a manner that is executable by hand or robotics."