Chapter 1: CRISPR and the Fight Against Cane Toads

In the January 18 edition of The New Yorker, Elizabeth Kolbert, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Sixth Extinction, delves into the potential of CRISPR and gene drives in eradicating invasive species or reviving those on the brink of extinction. The article draws attention to Australia's ongoing battle against the ecological threats posed by the invasive cane toad.

Kolbert recounts a visit to the BSL-4 Australian Animal Health Laboratory near Melbourne, where scientists Mark Tizard and Caitlin Cooper are working on innovative methods to eliminate Rhinella marina, commonly known as the cane toad. Introduced to Australia from Hawaii in 1935, these toads are characterized by their mottled brown appearance, with some individuals resembling boulders; the largest recorded specimen measured an astonishing fifteen inches and weighed six pounds. Although they often appear harmless, cane toads are responsible for the decline of numerous native species due to their venomous nature.

Desperate to control their populations, some Australians have resorted to drastic measures, including using golf clubs, poisons, or vehicles to eliminate them. It's important to note that when struck, these toads release a toxic substance that can be fatal to pets and wildlife.

To develop a more sustainable solution, Tizard and Cooper are employing genetic editing techniques to render cane toads less capable of surviving in Australia’s environment. Their method involves washing fertilized cane toad eggs, puncturing them with a microneedle, and injecting them with proteins and RNA molecules to modify their DNA. Initial experiments focused on altering the toads' coloration, but they have since progressed to more impactful changes. Notably, Cooper successfully used CRISPR to delete the gene responsible for the toads' potent venom, resulting in "less toxic toadlets." Future plans include preventing fertilization of the eggs altogether.

The article also briefly references initiatives in the United States aimed at reviving the nearly extinct Chestnut tree, as well as efforts to implement suppression drives in mice.

Later, Kolbert raises a recurring question in the realm of synthetic biology: Does bioengineering equate to playing the role of a god-like creator? To illustrate this point, she cites Stewart Brand, who famously remarked in 1969 that “We are as gods and might as well get good at it.” While acknowledging the ethical responsibilities that come with synthetic biology, I personally have never felt as if I wielded such power over life.

For example, after a lengthy series of experiments, I once accidentally placed bacterial cultures in a cold room to incubate overnight. The following morning revealed my mistake, much to my surprise.

Chapter 2: Innovations in Bioengineering

In a related study published this week in Nature Materials, researchers Timothy Lu and Tom Ellis explored how "kombucha-inspired living materials" can be created using S. cerevisiae yeast and K. rhaeticus bacteria. These cellulose-based biomaterials can be engineered to detect and remove pollutants, showcasing the potential of bioengineering to contribute positively to environmental challenges.

The first video titled "How Australia fights invasive Cane Toads" explains various methods being employed to manage cane toad populations effectively.

Additionally, Kathryn Hamilton provided a comprehensive analysis of lab-grown meat, proteins, and the urgent need to sustain a growing global population.

A fascinating article on artificial life, penned by Claire Evans, discusses software designed to simulate life processes, including reproduction and entropy, referencing the historical Tierra software developed in the 1990s.

In a groundbreaking study from Columbia University, researchers engineered bacterial cells using a modified CRISPR system capable of sensing redox reactions. Pulsing these cells with electricity enabled them to encode data into CRISPR arrays in bacterial genomes, achieving data storage of up to 72 bits.

The second video titled "Australia's Most Destructive Creature" provides insights into the ecological impact of invasive species like the cane toad.

This newsletter also highlights a recent investigation from David Liu's lab at Harvard, focusing on a potential treatment for progeria in mice, alongside several advancements in the field of biotechnology.

Until next time,

— Niko

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