Sunday, May 10, 2015

Week 6: Biotech + Art

Genetics...such a powerful word. It is a universal commonality, connecting every individual on this planet. However, from genetics comes was drives diversity in the world. The human genome. The dictionary describes it as "the complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism."Just like a USB stick or a an old school floppy disk, a genome contains information. But because biology is unbelievably fancy, we get 50% of our genes from our parents. Therefore, imagine that when your mom is pregnant with you, you mom and dads USB sticks combined and divided the information in half to create another USB stick....YOU!
A genome represented as a human
The codes that create the Human Genome, is the smallest unit of matter, DNA. DNA is comprised of four bases. However, the exact order and sequence of the four bases are what drive not just human diversity, but also providing scientists with infinite possibilities. With access to this powerful code, scientists can not just work towards saving/altering lives, but also create new life. 



Edunia by Eduardo Kac
Barry Schuler at TED Talk 
Joe Davis

The Human Genome is not just being used in the scientific field. Artists, such as Barry Schuler, Eduardo Kac, and Joe Davis, have used the genome to create beautiful pieces. Joe Davis, worked directly with scientists, regarding the genome project and inserting into living things. With this information he developed an artisitic piece called the Audio Microscope, and see the effects of sound to e-coli. Eduardo Kac on the other hand, took what he learned about the genome project in the direction of complete artistry. He created what he calls a “plantimal,” a flower that is genetically altered with his blood and a petunia, called “Edunia.” It is the central piece to his “Natural History of Enigma.” Lastly, Barry Schuler, had a TED talk and discussed the endless possibilities for art and science. Like I mentioned earlier, genomics is a composition or gathering of genetic material. Barry Schuler explained how the genome project would be represented similiar to the idea of a USB. 


 The chose to focus on the genome project because it's a powerful unit that is beyond the visibility of a naked eye. 

 links:
"Barry Schuler: An Introduction to Genomics." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 11 May 2015. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xJXZBCOWMY>.
"NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ENIGMA." NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ENIGMA. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2015. <http://www.ekac.org/nat.hist.enig.html>.
"Understanding Genetics." Understanding Genetics. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2015. <http://genetics.thetech.org/ask-a-geneticist/siblings-are-around-fifty-percent-related>.
Vesna, Victoria. "5 Bioart Pt1 1280x720." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 11 May 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaThVnA1kyg>.
Vesna, Victoria. "Biotech Intro NEw." N.p., n.d. Web. <https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DFvp924_pbgc>.
"Webcitation.org." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 May 2015. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webcitation.org>.
"What's a Genome?" What's a Genome? J. Craig Venter Institute, n.d. Web. 10 May 2015. <http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/resources/whats_a_genome/Chp2_2.shtml>.
Posted by at

4 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 12, 2015 at 7:59 PM

    Hi Allexis,
    I agree with you that genetics is very powerful. DNA is what makes us unique and like you said has the ability for scientists to create new life. I enjoyed yur blog this week.

    Delaney

    ReplyDelete
  2. Melinda WheelerMay 13, 2015 at 7:36 AM

    I really liked your discussion about the power of DNA. The human genome truly is the building block of life. You write that the ordering of the four different type of DNA bases is what makes each individual unique. It is crazy to think that only four bases are needed to create diversity in 7 billion people. I wish you would have added a little commentary about the controversial aspect of BioArt. The creativity of artists takes biotechnology to a whole new level, but according to some people this level can cross the ethical boundary. How far can artists go using living tissue and DNA as a medium without crossing the line?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Melinda WheelerMay 13, 2015 at 7:36 AM

    I really liked your discussion about the power of DNA. The human genome truly is the building block of life. You write that the ordering of the four different type of DNA bases is what makes each individual unique. It is crazy to think that only four bases are needed to create diversity in 7 billion people. I wish you would have added a little commentary about the controversial aspect of BioArt. The creativity of artists takes biotechnology to a whole new level, but according to some people this level can cross the ethical boundary. How far can artists go using living tissue and DNA as a medium without crossing the line?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Melinda WheelerMay 13, 2015 at 7:36 AM

    I really liked your discussion about the power of DNA. The human genome truly is the building block of life. You write that the ordering of the four different type of DNA bases is what makes each individual unique. It is crazy to think that only four bases are needed to create diversity in 7 billion people. I wish you would have added a little commentary about the controversial aspect of BioArt. The creativity of artists takes biotechnology to a whole new level, but according to some people this level can cross the ethical boundary. How far can artists go using living tissue and DNA as a medium without crossing the line?

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)