An international team of scientists has embarked on an ambitious research project to develop an in vivo biological cell that can be reprogrammed like a computer operating system.
It could revolutionize synthetic biology, they say, and would pave the way for scientists to create completely new and useful forms of life.
At NewCastle University a more longer term developments are being researched to include the use of bacteria programmed to target cancerous cells and reprogrammed human cells that undergo apoptosis under conditions likely to lead to tumour formation.
In addition many universities and scientists are working in this field to understand cell re-programming and organ re-generation, the question in their mind is; “Can we grow organs instead of transplanting them?”. Synthetic Biology approaches are also being used to study the process of ageing and offer new intervention strategies.
At Harvard University, they were able to successfully grow teeth in petri dish. At Anthony Atala’s state-of-the-art lab now is able to grow human organs — from muscles to blood vessels to bladders, and more.
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/csbb/research/healthcare/index.htm
http://www.wakehealth.edu/WFIRM/