Recent reports have depicted DIY biology enthusiasts as Frankensteins who need greater surveillance or other forms of regulation, but this view is incorrect.
Josiah Zayner operates the online ODIN store which sells CRISPR kits as part of his efforts to democratize molecular biology. Not one to shy away from pushing scientific experimentation limits, he recently performed an unsanctioned fecal transplant procedure on himself without approval or oversight from medical authorities.
CRISPR Kits
CRISPR is one of the greatest biological advances, but most scientists only have access to it via universities or pharmaceutical companies. That is starting to change as DIY (Do-It-Yourself) biology kits become increasingly accessible for home use – part of a growing movement known as biohacking that allows nonscientists to solve scientific issues within their homes or community lab spaces.
Oakland-based company The Odin is currently offering a CRISPR kit that makes gene editing accessible to anyone, making bacteria mutate with gene editing technology. They previously offered human modification kits which generated controversy after two American biohackers attempted to use CRISPR gene editing technology on themselves livestreamed before live audiences, though both attempts failed. These efforts nevertheless demonstrated how CRISPR can be used on living beings with potentially adverse health implications.
Stanford University’s Stanley Qi and his team are leading the charge in introducing CRISPR experiments into classrooms, with their new kit containing everything necessary for using CRISPR at less than $200. Their project seeks to teach biology while giving students experience with scientific inquiry.
The team developed the CRISPRkit so anyone could understand its workings. The kit provides all of the materials required for experiments; all that’s needed to conduct them is some water and plastic container to mix them with. Students add cell samples, then let the reagents work their magic by editing cells until all have been edited – then remove the reagents so cells are ready for analysis.
Reagents used in DNA manipulation cut and then bind DNA strands together, leaving blunt ends. From here, one may either choose to repair their broken DNA using traditional error-prone processes or introduce new genetic sequences by inserting DNA templates.
Though their kit may not be perfect, they hope to improve it over time. Their goal is to make working with and using reagents easier while including more educational content within each box.
Yeast Kits
Yeast is an integral component of beer making and scientists have long used them as research subjects. Genetically edited yeast was once quite difficult to produce. Thanks to CRISPR technology, however, scientists are now creating immune cells to fight cancer; viruses that produce antibiotic-resistant bacteria; female mosquitoes that don’t reproduce (thus decreasing population numbers); as well as creating “biohacker” colonies within garages around the country that use CRISPR as part of their arsenals – making CRISPR technology one of the primary tools.
Use of CRISPR kits to manipulate cellular biology has long enabled scientists to create bacteria and yeast that change color, make fragrances or inhabit unfavorable places; CRISPR kits now offer biohackers the capability to engineer human cells as well. While such practices could potentially have disastrous repercussions if used by biohackers skilled enough to introduce new diseases into the wild or create glowing cats into society at large, most such biohackers tend to operate within their homes and garages for now.
These DIY biologists, in order to stay out of trouble, are seeking legal protections and an oversight system which will catch them before things spiral too far out of control. But with FDA’s recent move against homemade gene editing equipment tinkerers causing widespread panic over its safety, legal systems may never catch up with this eager generation eager to test new genetic tools.
Josiah Zayner is at the forefront of this movement as the founder of Odin, which offers gene editing kits designed to transform ordinary brewer’s yeast into mead that glows in the dark. Their new kit works by adding a gene for jellyfish-like green fluorescence into it.
To do so, the company provides customers with a DNA sequence identifying A’s, C’s, G’s, and T’s of their chosen fungus, along with instructions on using an online tool to insert pieces of protein code from jellyfish genes into yeast. Furthermore, their kit contains Calcofluor White which binds tightly to cell walls of living fungi to stain them blue while another fluorescent reagent shows that spheroplasts (organelles that store DNA within yeast cells) exist in order to reveal them!
Bacteria Kits
DIY genetic engineering is an engaging way to teach children the principles of science. However, its DIY biohacking approach may present risks which should be identified and avoided for safety’s sake – particularly important when parents want their children to explore this fascinating technology.
As the biohacking community expands, more kits are becoming widely available to the general public that enable individuals to learn all aspects of biotechnology without incurring excessive tuition costs for classes or lab equipment. These kits allow students to learn about biotechnology without incurring exorbitant lab fees for equipment purchases or classes.
The Bacteria Counting Kit provides users with an accurate way to count bacteria using flow cytometry. It includes SYTO(tm) BC dye, which produces an intense green fluorescence signal when exposed to both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, it includes calibrated suspension of polystyrene microspheres which can be distinguished from stained bacteria on plots of forward scatter versus fluorescence.
Light Controlled Bacteria Kit provides students with an engaging classroom activity where they can engineer bacteria to glow and emit light, providing valuable instruction on light-sensitive genes and optogenetic engineering techniques while supporting Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)*.
DIY biohackers are a varied group with different goals in mind, yet all share one thing in common: an eagerness to gain a deeper understanding of life. Many aim to improve human lives through research; many take risks for this cause as well. Unfortunately, media portrayals can often paint them negatively – thus hindering their efforts and hindering any positive results they might achieve.
At present, greater awareness, monitoring by DNA synthesis companies and advice from law enforcement are helping DIY biohackers remain safe. Yet the risk of being arrested remains high – therefore taking measures such as not using DNA editing kits which might potentially be used illegally should also be considered part of any safety plan for biohacking enthusiasts.
Microfluidics Kits
Zayner’s DIY lab supply store, ODIN, serves many biohackers with laboratory supplies ranging from pipette tips to bulk cell media and CRISPR kits for at-home use. Biohackers play an indispensable role in scientific experimentation – their projects often have long-term ramifications on biology and biotech.
From optimizing gender-specific health discrepancies to synthesizing DNA in the kitchen, biohackers are revolutionizing science. But they can’t do it on their own: DIY biology community members share strong collaborative bonds and are constantly working toward expanding collective knowledge.
We’re thrilled to support this open collaboration through our microfluidic kits, which contain essential components necessary for conducting microfluidic experiments. These kits include interfaces, chip selection with instrument, handling frames and further accessories – everything needed to build a system specifically tailored to your needs – making these ideal tools for research, education, prototyping and product development projects.
