Podcasts about using crispr

This is one in a series about possible futures, which will be published in Booch News over the coming weeks. Episode 7 appeared last week. New episodes drop every Friday. Overview Peer-to-peer flavor-sharing platforms enabled home brewers to distribute taste profiles as digital files. Blockchain-verified SCOBY genetics allowed anyone to recreate award-winning kombucha flavors. Traditional beverage companies lost control as open-source fermentation recipes spread globally. This episode follows teenage hacker Luna Reyes as she reverse-engineers Heineken’s proprietary “A-yeast” strain and the century-old master strain used for Budweiser, releasing them under Creative Commons license, triggering a flavor renaissance that made corporate beverages taste like cardboard by comparison. Luna Reyes: The Seventeen-Year-Old Who Liberated Flavor Luna Reyes was brewing kombucha in her Oakland garage when she changed the course of human history. The daughter of Mexican immigrants, she had learned fermentation from her grandmother while teaching herself bioinformatics through YouTube tutorials and volunteering at the Counter Culture Labs Maker Space on Shattuck Avenue. By fifteen, she was running the Bay Area’s most sophisticated home laboratory, utilizing jury-rigged DNA sequencers and microscopes constructed from smartphone cameras. Her breakthrough came in February 2043 while investigating why her kombucha never tasted quite like expensive craft varieties and was different again from her grandmother’s home brew. Using Crispr techniques learned from online forums, Luna began reverse-engineering the microbial genetics of premium alcoholic beverages. Her target wasn’t kombucha—it was the closely guarded yeast strains that gave corporate beers their distinctive flavors. Luna hunched over her microscope, examining bacterial cultures from her latest kombucha batch. Around her, salvaged DNA sequencers hummed, fermentation vessels bubbled, and computer screens displayed multi-hued patterns of genetic sequences. Her grandmother, Rosa, entered carrying a tray with three glasses of homemade kombucha. “Mija, you’ve been working for six hours straight. Drink something.” Luna accepted the glass without looking up. “Abuela, your kombucha tastes better than anything I can buy in stores and the ones I’ve experimented with. Why? I’m using the same base ingredients—tea, sugar, water—but mine never has this complexity.” Her grandmother laughed. “Because I’ve been feeding this SCOBY for forty years. It knows what to do. You can’t rush relationships.” Luna’s sister Maya, lounging against a workbench, waved her phone. “Luna, people have noticed your forum post about Health-Ade’s fermentation process. Someone says you’re wasting your time trying to replicate commercial kombuchas.” “I’m not trying to replicate them,” Luna said, finally looking up. “I’m trying to understand why their kombucha tastes different than that I make at home. It’s not the ingredients. It’s not the process. It’s the microbial genetics.” Rosa sat down beside her granddaughter. “When I was young in Oaxaca, every family had their own kombucha culture, passed down generation to generation. Each tasted different because the bacteria adapted to their environment, their ingredients, their care. We had a saying, Hay tantas fermentaciones en el mundo como estrellas en el cielo nocturno – there are as many ferments in the world as stars in the night sky. The big companies want every bottle to be identical. That kills what makes fermentation special.” “Exactly!” Luna pulled up genetic sequences on her screen. “I’ve been reverse-engineering samples from different commercial kombuchas. Health-Ade, GT’s, Brew Dr—they all have consistent microbial profiles.” The Great Heist: Cracking Corporate DNA Luna’s first major hack targeted Heineken’s legendary “A-yeast” strain, developed in 1886 by Dr. Hartog Elion—a student of renowned chemist Louis Pasteur—in the company’s Amsterdam laboratory and protected by over 150 years of trade secret law. Using samples obtained from discarded brewery waste (technically legal under the “garbage doctrine”), she spent six months mapping the strain’s complete genetic sequence in her makeshift lab. The breakthrough required extraordinary ingenuity. Luna couldn’t afford professional gene sequencers, so she modified a broken Illumina iSeq100 purchased on eBay for $200. Her sequencing runs took weeks rather than hours; her results were identical to those produced by million-dollar laboratory equipment. Her detailed laboratory notebooks, later published as The Garage Genomics Manifesto, became essential reading for the biotech hacker movement. The Budweiser project proved even more challenging. Anheuser-Busch’s century-old master strain had been protected by layers of corporate secrecy rivaling classified military programs. The company maintained multiple backup cultures in cryogenic facilities across three continents, never allowing complete genetic mapping by outside researchers. Luna’s success required infiltrating the company’s waste-disposal systems at four breweries, collecting samples over 18 months while evading corporate security. The Decision The night before Luna was scheduled to meet her fellow bio-hackers at Oakland’s Counter Culture Labs, she sat at her workstation, hesitant, wondering if she was doing the right thing. Her sister Maya came in, looking worried. “Luna, I found something you need to see,” she says. “Remember Marcus Park? He tried releasing proprietary yeast information in 2039. Heineken buried him. He lost everything. His daughter dropped out of college. His wife left him. He’s working at a gas station now.” Luna spent the night researching what happened to Park. She found that almost everyone who challenged corporate IP ended up on the losing side of the law. It was not pretty. In the morning, Abuela Rosa finds her crying in her room. “Mija, what’s wrong?” she asks. “Oh, Abuela,” Luna says between sobs. “What am I doing? What if I’m wrong? What if I destroy our family? What if this ruins Mom and Dad? What if I’m just being selfish?” “That’s the fear talking.” Her grandmother reassured her. “Fear is wisdom warning you to be careful. But fear can also be a cage.” That evening at the Counter Culture Labs, Luna assembled a small group of advisors. She needed their guidance. She had the completed genetic sequences for Heineken A-yeast and Budweiser’s master strain on her laptop, ready for release. But is this the time and place to release them to the world? Dr. Marcus Webb, a bioinformatics researcher in his forties and Luna’s mentor, examined her sequencing data. “This is solid work, Luna. Your jury-rigged equipment is crude. The results are accurate. You’ve fully mapped both strains.” “The question isn’t whether I can do it,” Luna said. “It’s whether I should let the world know I did it.” On screen, Cory Doctorow, the author and digital rights activist, leaned forward. “Let’s be clear about what you’re proposing. You’d be releasing genetic information that corporations have protected as trade secrets for over a century. They’ll argue you stole their intellectual property. You’ll face lawsuits, possibly criminal charges.” “Is it their property?” Luna challenged. “These are naturally occurring organisms. They didn’t create that yeast. Evolution did. They just happened to be there when it appeared. That does not make it theirs any more than finding a wildflower means they own the species. Can you really own something that existed before you found it?” Doctorow, the Electronic Frontier Foundation representative spoke up. “There’s legal precedent both ways. Diamond v. Chakrabarty established that genetically modified organisms can be patented. But naturally occurring genetic sequences? That’s murky. The companies will argue that their decades of cultivation and protection created protectable trade secrets.” “Trade secrets require keeping information secret,” Luna argued. “They throw this yeast away constantly. If they’re not protecting it, how can they claim trade secret status?” Dr. Webb cautioned, “Luna, even if you’re legally in the right—which is debatable—you’re seventeen years old. You’ll be fighting multinational corporations with unlimited legal resources. They’ll bury you in litigation for years.” “That’s where we come in,” Doctorow said. “The EFF can provide legal defense. Creative Commons can help structure the license. You need to understand: this will consume your life. College, career plans, normal teenage experiences—all on hold while you fight this battle.” Luna was quiet for a moment, then pulled up a photo on her laptop: her grandmother Rosa, teaching her to ferment at age seven. “My abuela says fermentation is about sharing and passing living cultures between generations. Corporations have turned it into intellectual property to be protected and controlled. If I can break that control—even a little—isn’t that worth fighting for?” Maya spoke up from the back. “Luna, I love you, but you’re being naive. They won’t just sue you. They’ll make an example of you. Your face on every news channel, portrayed as a thief, a criminal. Our family harassed. Your future destroyed. For what? So people can brew beer with the same yeast as Heineken?” “Not just beer,” Luna responded passionately. “This is about whether living organisms can be owned. Whether genetic information—the code of life itself—can be locked behind intellectual property law. Yes, it starts with beer yeast. But what about beneficial bacteria? Life-saving microorganisms? Medicine-producing fungi? Where does it end?” Dr. Webb nodded slowly. “She’s right. This is bigger than beer. As biotech advances, genetic control becomes power over life itself. Do we want corporations owning that?” Doctorow sighed. “If you do this, Luna, do it right. Release everything simultaneously—BitTorrent, WikiLeaks, Creative Commons servers, distributed networks worldwide. Make it impossible to contain. Include complete cultivation protocols so anyone can reproduce your results. Make the data so damn widely available that suppressing it becomes futile.” “And write a manifesto,” he added. “Explain why you’re doing this. Frame the issue. Make it about principles, not piracy.” Luna nodded, fingers already typing. “When should I release?” “Pick a date with symbolic meaning,” Dr. Webb suggested. “Make it an event, not just a data dump.” Luna smiled. “December 15. The Bill of Rights Day. Appropriate for declaring biological rights, don’t you think?” Maya groaned. “You’re really doing this, aren’t you?” “Yes. I’m really doing this.” The Creative Commons Liberation On Tuesday, December 15, 2043—a date now celebrated as “Open Flavor Day”—Luna released the genetic sequences on multiple open-source networks. Her manifesto, titled Your Grandmother’s Yeast Is Your Birthright, argued that microbial genetics belonged to humanity’s shared heritage rather than corporate shareholders. It stated: Commercial companies have protected yeast strains for over a century. They’ve used intellectual property law to control flavor itself. But genetic information isn’t like a recipe or a formula—it’s biological code that evolved over millions of years before humans ever cultivated it. These strains are protected as trade secrets—the bacteria don’t belong to anyone. They existed before Heineken, before Budweiser, before trademark law. The companies just happened to isolate and cultivate them. Her data packages included DNA sequences and complete protocols for cultivating, modifying, and improving the strains. Luna’s releases came with user-friendly software that allowed amateur brewers to simulate genetic modifications before attempting them in real fermentations. Within 24 hours, over ten thousand people worldwide downloaded the files. The Creative Commons community erupted in celebration. Cory Doctorow’s blog post, The Teenager Who Stole Christmas (From Corporate Beer), went viral within hours. The Electronic Frontier Foundation immediately offered Luna legal protection, while the Free Software Foundation created the “Luna Defense Fund” to support her anticipated legal battles. The Legal Assault Heineken’s response was swift. The company filed emergency injunctions in 12 countries simultaneously, seeking to prevent the distribution of its “stolen intellectual property.” Their legal team, led by former U.S. Attorney General William Barr III, demanded Luna’s immediate arrest for “economic terrorism” and “theft of trade secrets valued at over $50 billion.” Anheuser-Busch’s reaction was even more extreme. CEO Marcel Telles IV appeared on CNBC, calling Luna “a bioterrorist who threatens the foundation of American capitalism.” The company hired private investigators to surveil Luna’s family and offered a $10 million reward for information leading to her prosecution. Their legal filing compared Luna’s actions to “stealing the formula for Coca-Cola and publishing it in the New York Times.” In Heineken’s Amsterdam headquarters, executives convened an emergency meeting. “Who is Luna Reyes?” the CEO demanded. The legal counsel pulled up information. “She’s a seventeen-year-old high school student in Oakland, California. No criminal record. Volunteers at a maker space. Has been posting about fermentation on various forums for years.” “A child released our proprietary yeast strain to the world, and we didn’t know she was even working on this?” The CEO’s face reddened. “How do we contain it?” “We can’t. It’s distributed across thousands of servers in dozens of countries with different IP laws. We can sue Reyes, but the information is out there permanently.” An executive interjected, “What about the other breweries? Will they join our lawsuit?” “Some are considering it. Others…” The counsel paused. “Others are quietly downloading the sequences themselves. They see an opportunity to break our market dominance.” “She obtained samples from our waste disposal,” another executive explained. “Technically legal under the garbage doctrine. The sequencing itself isn’t illegal. The release under Creative Commons…” “Is theft!” the CEO shouted. “File emergency injunctions. Twelve countries. Get her arrested for economic terrorism.” Similar scenes played out at Anheuser-Busch headquarters in St. Louis. CEO Telles addressed his team: “This is bioterrorism. She’s destroyed intellectual property worth billions. I want her prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Hire private investigators. Find everything about her and her family. Make her life hell!” By noon, both companies had filed lawsuits. By evening, Fox News was running stories about the “teenage bioterrorist” who “stole American corporate secrets.” Back in Oakland, Luna’s phone rang constantly. Her parents discovered what she’d done. Her mother cried. Her father was furious and terrified. Friends called with either congratulations or warnings. She was convinced that private investigators were photographing their house. Maya suspected she was followed to work. On Wednesday morning, Dr. Webb calls: “Luna, they’re offering me $2 million to testify against you. They’re going after everyone in your network.” Luna has a sickening feeling that she’s put everyone at risk. By Thursday, she is considering taking it all back somehow, sending an apology to the corporations, anything to protect her family. Luna turned off her phone and sat with her grandmother. “It’s started,” Luna said quietly. “Sí, mija. You’ve declared war. Now we see if you can survive it.” Maya burst in, laptop in hand. “Luna, you need to see this. The downloads aren’t slowing—they’re accelerating. Every time Heineken or Budweiser shuts down a website, ten mirror sites appear. People are treating this like a digital freedom fight. You’ve become a symbol.” Luna pulled up her own screen. The #FreeLuna hashtag was trending. Crowdfunding campaigns for her legal defense had raised $400,000 in twelve hours. Academic institutions were publicly endorsing her release, calling it “essential scientific information.” “They’re trying to destroy you,” Maya said, “but they’re making you famous instead.” Rosa handed Luna a fresh kombucha. “This is what happens when you fight for what’s right, mija. Sometimes the world surprises you by supporting you.” Luna’s Fame The corporations’ attempts to suppress Luna’s releases had the opposite effect. Every cease-and-desist letter generated thousands of new downloads. The genetic data became impossible to contain once the academic community embraced Luna’s work. Dr. Jennifer Doudna, the legendary Crispr pioneer now in her eighties, publicly endorsed Luna’s releases in a Science magazine editorial: Ms. Reyes has liberated essential scientific information that corporations held hostage for commercial gain. Genetic sequences from naturally occurring organisms should not be locked behind intellectual property law. They belong to humanity’s knowledge commons. While corporations claim Luna stole trade secrets, I argue she freed biological knowledge that was never theirs to own. There are no trade secrets in biology—only knowledge temporarily hidden from the commons. This is civil disobedience of the highest order—breaking unjust laws to advance human freedom. Ms. Reyes didn’t steal; she liberated. MIT’s biology department invited Luna to lecture, while Harvard offered her a full scholarship despite her lack of a high school diploma. The legal battles consumed corporate resources while generating negative publicity. Heineken’s stock price dropped 34% as consumers organized boycotts in support of Luna’s “yeast liberation.” Beer sales plummeted as customers waited for home-brewed alternatives using Luna’s open-source genetics. The Flavor Renaissance Luna’s releases triggered an explosion of creativity that corporate R&D departments had never imagined. Within six months, amateur brewers worldwide were producing thousands of flavor variations impossible under corporate constraints. The open-source model enabled rapid iteration and global collaboration, rendering traditional brewing companies obsolete. The world was engaged. In some of the most unlikely places. In Evanston, Illinois, a group of former seminary students who discovered fermentation during a silent retreat, transformed Gregorian chants into microbial devotionals. Tenor Marcus Webb (Dr. Webb’s nephew) realized symbiosis mirrored vocal harmony—multiple voices creating something greater than their parts. “In honoring the mystery of fermentation we express our love of the Creator,” he said. Here's ‘Consortium Vocalis' honoring the mother SCOBY. [Chorus]Our SCOBYIs pureOur SCOBYIs strongOur SCOBYKnows no boundariesOur SCOBYStrengthens as it fermentsOur SCOBYIs bacteria and yeast Our SCOBYTurns sucrose into glucose and fructoseIt ferments these simple sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide,Acetic acid bacteria oxidize much of that ethanol into organic acidsSuch as acetic, gluconic, and other acids.This steadily lowers the pHMaking the tea taste sour-tangy instead of purely sweet. [Chorus] Our SCOBYThen helps microbes produce acids, enzymes, and small amounts of B‑vitaminsWhile probiotics grow in the liquid.The pH falls to help inhibit unwanted microbesOur SCOBY creates a self-preserving, acidic environment in the tea [Chorus] In Kingston, Jamaica, Rastafarian’s combined an award-winning kombucha sequenced in Humboldt County, California, with locally grown ganja into a sacramental beverage to help open their mind to reasoning and focus on Jah. Once fermented, it was consumed over the course of a three-day Nyabinghi ceremony. “Luna Reyes is truly blessed. She strengthened our unity as a people, and our Rastafari’ booch help us chant down Babylon,” a Rasta man smiled, blowing smoke from a spliff the size of his arm. The Groundation Collective’s reggae anthem ‘Oh Luna’ joyfully celebrated Luna Reyes’ pioneering discovery. Oh Luna, Oh Luna, Oh Luna ReyesI love the sound of your nameYou so deserve your fame Luna, Luna, Oh Luna ReyesShining brightYou warm my heart Luna, Luna, Oh Luna ReyesYou cracked the codeTeenage prophet, fermentation queenSymbiosis roadA genius at seventeen Oh Luna, Luna, Luna ReyesBeautiful moonMakes me swoon Oh Luna, Luna, Luna ReyesFreedom to fermentYou are heaven sentTo save us Luna, Luna, Oh Luna ReyesYou opened the doorTo so much moreKombucha tastes so goodLike it should Oh Luna, Oh Luna, Oh LunaI love you, love you, love youOh Luna, Luna, LunaLove you, love you,Love Luna, Luna love. In São Paulo, Brazil, MAPA-certified Brazilian kombucha brands combined Heineken and cacao-fermenting yeasts with cupuaçu from indigenous Amazonian peoples, to create the chocolate-flavored ‘booch that won Gold at the 20th World Kombucha Awards. A cervejeiro explained to reporters: “Luna Reyes gave us the foundation. We added local innovation. This is what happens when you democratize biology.” The Brazilian singer Dandara Sereia covered ‘Our Fermented Future’—The Hollow Pines tune destined to become a hit at the 2053 Washington DC Fermentation Festival. Baby sit a little closer, sip some ‘booch with meI brewed this batch with the SCOBY my grandma gave to me.On the back porch swing at twilight, watching fireflies danceYour hand in mine, kombucha fine, the sweetest sweet romance. They say that wine and roses are the way to win the heartBut your kombucha warmed me right up from the start.Fermentation makes the heart grow fonder, truer words they ain’t been saidYour SCOBY’s got a place forever — in my heart, and in my bed. Let’s share our SCOBYs, baby, merge our ferments into oneLike cultures in a crock jar dancing, underneath the sun.The tang of your Lactobacillus is exactly what I’m missingYour Brettanomyces bacteria got this country girl reminiscing. Oh yeah, let’s share those SCOBYs, baby, merge our ferments into oneYour yeasts and my bacteria working till the magic’s doneYou’ve got the acetic acid honey, I’ve got the patience and the timeLet’s bubble up together, let our cultures intertwine. I’ve got that symbiotic feeling, something wild and something trueYour SCOBY’s in my heart, right there next to youThe way your Acetobacter turns sugar into goldIs how you turned my lonely life into a hand to hold. We’ve got the acetic acid and the glucuronic tooWe’ve got that symbiotic feeling, so righteous and so trueOne sip of your sweet ‘booch, Lord, and you had me from the start,It’s our fermented future, that no-one can tear apart. It’s our fermented future…It’s our fermented future…It’s our fermented future… “Luna Variants”—strains derived from her releases—began winning international brewing competitions, embarrassing corporate entries with their complexity and innovation. Traditional beer flavors seemed flat and artificial compared to the genetic symphonies created by collaborative open-source development. Despite the outpouring of positive vibes, the corporations spared no expense to hold Luna to account in the courts. The Preliminary Hearing A preliminary hearing was held in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on June 14, 2044. Luna sat at the defendant’s table, her hands folded so tightly her knuckles had gone white. She wore a borrowed blazer—too big in the shoulders—over a white button-down shirt Maya had ironed that morning. At seventeen, she looked even younger under the courtroom’s fluorescent lights. Across the aisle, Heineken’s legal team occupied three tables. Fifteen attorneys in matching navy suits shuffled documents and whispered into phones. Their lead counsel, William Barr III, wore gold cufflinks that caught the light when he gestured. Luna recognized him from the news—the former Attorney General, now commanding $2,000 an hour to destroy people like her. Her own legal representation consisted of two people: Rose Kennerson from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a public interest lawyer who’d flown in from DC on a red-eye, and Dr. Marcus Webb, technically a witness but sitting beside Luna because she’d asked him to. Behind them, the gallery was packed. Luna’s parents sat in the second row, her father’s face gray, her mother clutching a rosary. Maya had taken the day off work. Abuela Rosa sat in the front row directly behind Luna, her ancient SCOBY wrapped in silk in her lap, as if its presence might protect her granddaughter. Judge Catherine Ironwood entered—sixty-ish, steel-gray hair pulled back severely, known for pro-corporate rulings. She’d been a pharmaceutical industry lawyer for twenty years before her appointment. “All rise,” the bailiff called. Judge Ironwood settled into her chair and surveyed the courtroom with the expression of someone who’d already decided the outcome and resented having to perform the formalities. “We’re here for a preliminary injunction hearing in Heineken International B.V. versus Luna Marie Reyes.” She looked directly at Luna. “Ms. Reyes, you’re seventeen years old?” Luna stood, hesitant. “Yes, your honor.” “Where are your parents?” “Here, your honor.” Luna’s mother half-rose, then sat back down. “Ms. Kennerson, your client is a minor. Are the parents aware they could be held liable for damages?” Rose Kennerson stood smoothly. “Yes, your honor. The Reyes family has been fully advised of the legal implications.” Luna glanced back. Her father’s jaw was clenched so tight she could see the muscles working. He wouldn’t meet her eyes. “Very well. Mr. Barr, you may proceed.” Barr rose like a battleship emerging from fog—massive, expensive, inevitable. He buttoned his suit jacket and approached the bench without notes. “Your honor, this is the simplest case I’ve argued in thirty years. The defendant admits to obtaining my client’s proprietary biological materials. She admits to sequencing their genetic information. She admits to distributing that information globally, in deliberate violation of trade secret protections that have existed for over 150 years. She did this knowingly, systematically, and with the explicit intent to destroy my client’s competitive advantage.” Luna felt Sarah’s hand on her arm—stay calm. Barr continued. “Heineken International has invested over $200 million in the development, cultivation, and protection of the A-yeast strain. Then this teenager”—he pointed at Luna—”obtained samples from our waste disposal systems, reverse-engineered our genetic sequences, and released them to the world via BitTorrent, deliberately placing them beyond retrieval.” He paced now, warming to his theme. “The damage is incalculable. We estimate lost market value at $50 billion. But it’s not just about money. The defendant has destroyed the possibility of competition in the brewing industry. When everyone has access to the same genetic materials, there’s no innovation, no differentiation, no reason for consumers to choose one product over another. She has, in effect, communized an entire industry.” Luna couldn’t help herself. “That’s not—” Sarah grabbed her wrist. “Don’t.” Judge Ironwood’s eyes narrowed. “Ms. Reyes, you will have your opportunity to speak. Until then, you will remain silent, or I will have you removed from this courtroom. Do you understand?” “Yes, your honor.” Luna’s voice came out smaller than she intended. Barr smiled slightly. “Your honor, the relief we seek is straightforward. We ask this court to order the defendant to provide us with a complete list of all servers, websites, and distribution networks where the stolen genetic data currently resides. We ask that she be ordered to cooperate fully in suppressing the data. We ask that she be enjoined from any further distribution. And we ask that she be ordered to pay compensatory damages of $5 billion, plus punitive damages to be determined at trial.” He returned to his seat. One of his associate attorneys handed him a bottle of Pellegrino. He took a sip and waited. Judge Ironwood looked at Sarah. “Ms. Kennerson?” Sarah stood. She looked tiny compared to Barr—five-foot-three, maybe 110 pounds, wearing a suit from Target. But when she spoke, her voice filled the courtroom. “Your honor, Mr. Barr has given you a compelling story about a corporation that’s been wronged. But it’s not the right story. The right story is about whether naturally occurring organisms—creatures that evolved over millions of years, long before humans ever existed—can be owned by a corporation simply because that corporation happened to isolate them.” She walked toward the bench. “Let’s be clear about what the A-yeast strain is. It’s not a genetically modified organism. It’s not a patented invention. It’s a naturally occurring yeast. Heineken didn’t create it. Evolution created it. Heineken merely found it. And for 158 years, they’ve claimed that finding something gives them the right to prevent anyone else from studying it, understanding it, or using it.” Barr was on his feet. “Objection, your honor. This is a preliminary hearing about injunctive relief, not a philosophical debate about intellectual property theory.” “Sustained. Ms. Kennerson, please focus on the specific legal issues before this court.” “Your honor, the specific legal issue is whether naturally occurring genetic sequences constitute protectable trade secrets. My client contends they do not. She obtained the yeast samples from Heineken’s waste disposal—materials they had discarded. Under the garbage doctrine, she had every right to analyze those materials. The genetic sequences she discovered are factual information about naturally occurring organisms. You cannot trade-secret facts about nature.” Luna watched Judge Ironwood’s face. Nothing. No reaction. Sarah pressed on. “Mr. Barr claims my client ‘stole’ genetic information worth $5 billion. But information cannot be stolen—it can only be shared. When I tell you a fact, I don’t lose possession of that fact. We both have it. That’s how knowledge works. Heineken hasn’t lost their yeast. They still have it. They can still brew with it. What they’ve lost is their monopoly on that knowledge. And monopolies on facts about nature should never have existed in the first place.” “Your honor—” Barr tried to interrupt. Judge Ironwood waved him down. “Continue, Ms. Kennerson.” “Your honor, Heineken wants this court to order a seventeen-year-old girl to somehow suppress information that has already been distributed to over 100,000 people in 147 countries. That’s impossible. You can’t unring a bell. You can’t put knowledge back in a bottle. Even if this court ordered my client to provide a list of servers—which she shouldn’t have to do—that list would be incomplete within hours as new mirror sites appeared. The information is out. The only question is whether we punish my client for sharing factual information about naturally occurring organisms.” She turned to face Luna’s family. “Ms. Reyes taught herself bioinformatics from YouTube videos. She works at home with equipment she bought on eBay. She has no criminal record. She’s never been in trouble. She saw a question that interested her—why do commercial beers taste like they do?—and she pursued that question with the tools available to her. When she discovered the answer, she shared it with the world, under a Creative Commons license that specifically protects sharing for educational and scientific purposes. If that’s terrorism, your honor, then every scientist who’s ever published a research paper is a terrorist.” Sarah sat down. Luna wanted to hug her. Judge Ironwood leaned back. “Ms. Reyes, stand up.” Luna rose, her legs shaking. “Do you understand the seriousness of these proceedings?” “Yes, your honor.” “Do you understand that Heineken International is asking me to hold you in contempt of court if you refuse to help them suppress the information you released?” “Yes, your honor.” “Do you understand that contempt of court could result in your detention in a juvenile facility until you reach the age of eighteen, and potentially longer if the contempt continues?” Luna’s mother gasped audibly. Her father put his arm around her. “Yes, your honor,” Luna said, though her voice wavered. “Then let me ask you directly: If I order you to provide Heineken with a complete list of all locations where the genetic data you released currently resides, will you comply?” The courtroom went silent. Luna could hear her own heartbeat. Sarah started to stand—”Your honor, I advise my client not to answer—” “Sit down, Ms. Kennerson. I’m asking your client a direct question. She can choose to answer or not.” Judge Ironwood’s eyes never left Luna. “Well, Ms. Reyes? Will you comply with a court order to help Heineken suppress the information you released?” Luna looked at her parents. Her mother was crying silently. Her father’s face was stone. She looked at Abuela Rosa. Her grandmother nodded once—tell the truth. Luna looked back at the judge. “No, your honor.” Barr shot to his feet. “Your honor, the defendant has just admitted she intends to defy a court order—” “I heard her, Mr. Barr.” Judge Ironwood’s voice was ice. “Ms. Reyes, do you understand you’ve just told a federal judge you will refuse a direct order?” “Yes, your honor.” “And you’re still refusing?” “Yes, your honor.” “Why?” Sarah stood quickly. “Your honor, my client doesn’t have to explain—” “I want to hear it.” Judge Ironwood leaned forward. “Ms. Reyes, tell me why you would risk jail rather than help undo what you’ve done.” Luna took a breath. Her whole body was shaking, but her voice was steady. “Because it would be wrong, your honor.” “Wrong how?” “The genetic sequences I released evolved over millions of years. Heineken didn’t create that yeast. They isolated one strain and claimed ownership of it. The code of life belongs to everyone. That’s humanity’s heritage. Even if you send me to jail, I can’t help suppress the truth.” Judge Ironwood stared at her for a long moment. “That’s a very pretty speech, Ms. Reyes. But this court operates under the law, not your personal philosophy about what should or shouldn’t be owned. Trade secret law exists. Heineken’s rights exist. And you violated those rights.” Luna did not hesitate. “With respect, your honor, I don’t think those rights should exist.” Barr exploded. “Your honor, this is outrageous! The defendant is openly stating she believes she has the right to violate any law she disagrees with—” “That’s not what I said.” Luna’s fear was transforming into something else—something harder. “I’m saying that some laws are unjust. And when laws are unjust, civil disobedience becomes necessary. People broke unjust laws during the civil rights movement. People broke unjust laws when they helped slaves escape. The constitution says members of the military do not have to obey illegal orders, despite what those in power might claim. Sometimes the law is wrong. And when the law says corporations can own genetic information about naturally occurring organisms, the law is wrong.” Judge Ironwood’s face flushed. “Ms. Reyes, you are not Rosa Parks. This is not the civil rights movement. This is a case about intellectual property theft.” “It’s a case about whether life can be property, your honor.” “Enough.” Judge Ironwood slammed her gavel. “Ms. Kennerson, control your client.” Sarah pulled Luna back into her chair. “Luna, stop talking,” she hissed. Judge Ironwood shuffled papers, visibly trying to compose herself. “I’m taking a fifteen-minute recess to consider the injunction request. We’ll reconvene at 11:30. Ms. Reyes, I strongly suggest you use this time to reconsider your position.” The gavel fell again, and Judge Ironwood swept out. The hallway outside the courtroom erupted. Reporters swarmed. Luna’s father grabbed her arm and pulled her into a witness room. Her mother followed, still crying. Maya slipped in before Sarah closed the door. “What were you thinking?” Luna’s father’s voice shook. “You just told a federal judge you’ll defy her orders. They’re going to put you in jail, Luna. Do you understand that? Jail!” “Ricardo, please—” Her mother tried to calm him. “No, Elena. Our daughter just committed contempt of court in front of fifty witnesses. They’re going to take her from us.” He turned to Luna, his eyes wet. “Why? Why couldn’t you just apologize? Say you made a mistake? We could have ended this.” “Because I didn’t make a mistake, Papa.” “You destroyed their property!” “It wasn’t their property. It was never their property.” “The law says it was!” “Then the law is wrong!” Her father stepped back as if she’d slapped him. “Do you know what your mother and I have sacrificed to keep you out of trouble? Do you know how hard we’ve worked since we came to this country to give you opportunities we never had? And you throw it away for yeast. Not for justice. Not for people. For yeast.” Luna’s eyes filled with tears. “It’s not about yeast, Papa. It’s about whether corporations get to own life. If Heineken can own yeast, why not bacteria? Why not human genes? Where does it stop?” “It stops when my daughter goes to jail!” He was shouting now. “I don’t care about Heineken. I don’t care about yeast. I care about you. And you just told that judge you’ll defy her. She’s going to put you in jail, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.” “Ricardo, por favor—” Elena put her hand on his arm. He shook it off. “No. She needs to hear this. Luna, if you go to jail, your life is over. No college will accept you. No company will hire you. You’ll have a criminal record. You’ll be marked forever. Is that what you want?” “I want to do what’s right.” “What’s right is protecting your family! What’s right is not destroying your future for a principle!” he said. Luna responded, “What’s right is not letting corporations own the code of life!”They stared at each other. Maya spoke up quietly from the corner. “Papa, she can’t back down now. The whole world is watching.” “Let the world watch someone else!” Ricardo turned on Maya. “You encourage this. You film her, you post her manifestos online, you help her become famous. You’re her sister. You’re supposed to protect her, not help her destroy herself.” “I am protecting her,” Maya said. “I’m protecting her from becoming someone who backs down when the world tells her she’s wrong, even though she knows she’s right.” Ricardo looked between his daughters. “Ambos están locos! You’re both insane.” Abuela Rosa opened the door and entered. She’d been listening from the hallway. “Ricardo, enough.” “Mama, stay out of this.” “No.” Rosa moved between Ricardo and Luna. “You’re afraid. I understand. But fear makes you cruel, mijo. Your daughter is brave. She’s doing something important. And you’re making her choose between you and what’s right. Don’t do that.” “She’s seventeen years old! She’s a child!” “She’s old enough to know right from wrong.” Rosa put her hand on Ricardo’s cheek. “When I was sixteen, I left Oaxaca with nothing but the clothes on my back and this SCOBY. Everyone said I was crazy. Your father said I would fail. But I knew I had to go, even if it cost me everything. Sometimes our children have to do things that terrify us. That’s how the world changes.” Ricardo pulled away. “If they put her in jail, will that change the world, Mama? When she’s sitting in a cell while Heineken continues doing whatever they want, will that have been worth it?” “Yes,” Luna said quietly. “Even if I go to jail, yes. Because thousands of people now have the genetic sequences, Heineken can’t put that back. They can punish me, but they can’t undo what I did. The information is free. It’s going to stay free. And if the price of that is me going to jail, then that’s the price.” Her father looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. “I don’t know who you are anymore.” “I’m still your daughter, Papa. I’m just also someone who won’t let corporations own life.” A knock on the door. Sarah poked her head in. “They’re reconvening. Luna, we need to go.” Back in the courtroom, the atmosphere had shifted. The gallery was more crowded—word had spread during the recess. Luna recognized several people from online forums. Some held signs reading “FREE LUNA” and “GENETICS BELONG TO EVERYONE.” Judge Ironwood entered and sat without ceremony. “I’ve reviewed the submissions and heard the arguments. This is my ruling.” Luna’s hand found Maya’s in the row behind her. Squeezed tight. “The question before this court is whether to grant Heineken International’s motion for a preliminary injunction requiring Ms. Reyes to assist in suppressing the genetic information she released. To grant such an injunction, Heineken must demonstrate four things: likelihood of success on the merits, likelihood of irreparable harm without the injunction, balance of equities in their favor, and that an injunction serves the public interest.” Barr was nodding. These were his arguments. “Having considered the evidence and the applicable law, I find that Heineken has demonstrated likelihood of success on the merits. Trade secret law clearly protects proprietary business information, and the A-yeast strain appears to meet the legal definition of a trade secret.” Luna’s stomach dropped. “However, I also find that Heineken has failed to demonstrate that a preliminary injunction would effectively prevent the irreparable harm they claim. Ms. Kennerson is correct that the genetic information has already been distributed to over 100,000 people worldwide. Ordering one teenager to provide a list of servers would be, in technical terms, pointless. New copies would appear faster than they could be suppressed.” Barr’s face tightened. “Furthermore, I find that the balance of equities does not favor Heineken. They ask this court to potentially incarcerate a seventeen-year-old girl for refusing to suppress information that is, by her account, factual data about naturally occurring organisms. The potential harm to Ms. Reyes—including detention, criminal record, and foreclosure of educational and career opportunities—substantially outweighs any additional harm Heineken might suffer from continued distribution of information that is already widely distributed.” Luna felt Maya’s grip tighten. Was this good? This sounded good. “Finally, and most importantly, I find that granting this injunction would not serve the public interest. The court takes judicial notice that this case has generated substantial public debate about the scope of intellectual property protection in biotechnology. The questions raised by Ms. Reyes—whether naturally occurring genetic sequences should be ownable, whether facts about nature can be trade secrets, whether knowledge can be property—are questions that deserve answers from a higher authority than this court. These are questions for appellate courts, perhaps ultimately for the Supreme Court. And they are questions best answered in the context of a full trial on the merits, not in an emergency injunction hearing.” Barr was on his feet. “Your honor—” “Sit down, Mr. Barr. I’m not finished.” He sat, his face purple. “Therefore, Heineken International’s motion for preliminary injunction is denied. Ms. Reyes will not be required to assist in suppressing the genetic information she released. However,”—Judge Ironwood looked directly at Luna—”this ruling should not be construed as approval of Ms. Reyes’ actions. Heineken’s claims for damages and other relief remain viable and will proceed to trial. Ms. Reyes, you may have won this battle, but this war is far from over. Anything you want to say?” Luna stood slowly. “Your honor, I just want to say… thank you. For letting this go to trial. For letting these questions be answered properly. That’s all I ever wanted—for someone to seriously consider whether corporations should be allowed to own genetic information about naturally occurring organisms. So thank you.” Judge Ironwood’s expression softened slightly. “Ms. Reyes, I hope you’re prepared for what comes next. Heineken has unlimited resources. They will pursue this case for years if necessary. You’ll be in litigation until you’re twenty-five years old. Your entire young adulthood will be consumed by depositions, court appearances, and legal fees. Are you prepared for that?” “Yes, your honor.” “Why?” Luna glanced at her grandmother, who nodded. “Because some questions are worth answering, your honor. Even if it takes years. Even if it costs everything. The question of whether corporations can own life—that’s worth answering. And if I have to spend my twenties answering it, then that’s what I’ll do.” Judge Ironwood studied her for a long moment. “You remind me of someone I used to know. Someone who believed the law should serve justice, not just power.” She paused. “That person doesn’t exist anymore. The law ground her down. I hope it doesn’t do the same to you.” She raised her gavel. “This hearing is adjourned. The parties will be notified of the trial date once it’s scheduled. Ms. Reyes, good luck. I think you’re going to need it.” The gavel fell. Outside the courthouse, the scene was chaotic. News cameras surrounded Luna. Reporters shouted questions. But Luna barely heard them. She was looking at her father, who stood apart from the crowd, watching her. She walked over to him. “Papa, I’m sorry I yelled.” He didn’t speak for a moment. Then he pulled her into a hug so tight it hurt. “Don’t apologize for being brave,” he whispered into her hair. “I’m just afraid of losing you.” “You won’t lose me, Papa. I promise.” “You can’t promise that. Not anymore.” He pulled back, holding her shoulders. “But I’m proud of you. I’m terrified, but I’m proud.” Her mother joined them, tears streaming down her face. “No more court. Please, no more court.” “I can’t promise that either, Mama.” Elena touched Luna’s face. “Then promise me you’ll be careful. Promise me you’ll remember that you’re not just fighting for genetics. You’re fighting for your life.” Luna smiled. “I promise.” Abuela Rosa appeared, carrying her SCOBY. “Come, mija. We should go before the reporters follow us home.” As they pushed through the crowd toward Maya’s car, Luna's phone buzzed continuously. Text messages and emails pouring in. But what caught her attention was a text from Dr. Webb: You were right. I’m sorry I doubted. Check your email—Dr. Doudna wants to talk. Luna opened her email. The subject line made her stop walking: From: jennifer.doudna@berkeley.eduSubject: Civil Disobedience of the Highest Order She started to read: Dear Ms. Reyes, I watched your hearing this morning. What you did in that courtroom—refusing to back down even when threatened with jail—was one of the bravest things I’ve seen in forty years of science. You’re not just fighting for yeast genetics. You’re fighting for the principle that knowledge about nature belongs to humanity, not to corporations. I want to help… Luna looked up at her family—her father’s worried face, her mother’s tears, Maya’s proud smile, Abuela Rosa’s serene confidence. Behind them, the courthouse where she’d nearly been sent to jail. Around them, reporters and cameras and strangers who’d traveled across the country to support her. She thought about Judge Ironwood’s warning: This war is far from over. She thought about Barr’s face when the injunction was denied. She thought about the thousands who’d downloaded the genetic sequences and were, right now, brewing with genetics that had been locked away for 158 years. Worth it. All of it. Even the fear. Maya opened the car door. “Come on, little revolutionary. Let’s go home.” The Corporate Surrender By 2045, both Heineken and Anheuser-Busch quietly dropped their lawsuits against Luna. Their legal costs had exceeded $200 million while accomplishing nothing except generating bad publicity. More importantly, their “protected” strains had become worthless in a market flooded with superior alternatives. Heineken’s CEO attempted to salvage the company by embracing open-source brewing. His announcement that Heineken would “join the La Luna Revolution” was met with skepticism from the brewing community, which recalled the company’s aggressive legal tactics. The craft brewing community’s response was hostile. “They spent two years trying to destroy her,” a prominent brewmaster told The New Brewer Magazine. “Now they want credit for ’embracing’ the revolution she forced on them? Heineken didn’t join the Luna Revolution—they surrendered to it. There’s a difference.” The global brands never recovered their market share. Luna’s Transformation Luna’s success transformed her from a garage tinkerer into a global icon of the open knowledge movement. Her 2046 TED Talk, “Why Flavor Belongs to Everyone,” went viral. She argued that corporate control over living organisms represented “biological colonialism” that impoverished human culture by restricting natural diversity. Rather than commercializing her fame, Luna founded the Global Fermentation Commons, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing microbial genetics worldwide. Their laboratories operated as open-access research facilities where anyone could experiment with biological systems. The headquarters of the Global Fermentation Commons occupied a former Genentech facility donated by Dr. Webb. Six continents, forty researchers, one mission: preserve and share microbial genetics worldwide. Luna addressed a crowded auditorium at the organization’s third anniversary. “When I released Heineken and Budweiser’s yeast strains, some people called it theft. Others called it liberation. I called it returning biological knowledge to the commons, where it belongs. Three years later, so-called Luna Variants have created economic opportunities for thousands of small brewers, improved food security in developing regions, and demonstrated that genetic freedom drives innovation faster than corporate control.” She continued. “We’re not stopping with beer. The same principles apply to all fermentation: cheese cultures, yogurt bacteria, koji fungi, sourdough starters. Every traditionally fermented food relies on microorganisms that corporations increasingly claim to own. We’re systematically liberating them.” A World Health Organization representative raised a concern: “Ms. Reyes, while we support democratizing food fermentation, there are legitimate concerns about pharmaceutical applications. What prevents someone from using your open-source genetics to create dangerous organisms?” Luna nodded. “Fair question. First, the organisms we release are food-safe cultures with centuries of safe use. Second, dangerous genetic modifications require sophisticated laboratory equipment and expertise—far beyond what releasing genetic sequences enables. Third, determined bad actors already have access to dangerous biology, enabled by AI. We’re not creating new risks; we’re democratizing beneficial biology.” “Pharmaceutical companies argue you’re undermining their investments in beneficial organisms,” another representative pressed. “Pharmaceutical companies invest in modifying organisms,” Luna clarified. “Those modifications can be patented. What we oppose is claiming ownership over naturally occurring organisms or their baseline genetics. If you genetically engineer a bacterium to produce insulin, patent your engineering. Don’t claim ownership over the bacterial species itself.” A Monsanto representative stood. “Your organization recently cracked and released our proprietary seed genetics. That’s direct theft of our property.” Luna didn’t flinch. “Seeds that farmers cultivated for thousands of years before Monsanto existed? You didn’t invent corn, wheat, or soybeans. You modified them. Your modifications may be protectable; the baseline genetics are humanity’s heritage. We’re liberating what should never have been owned.” “The ‘Luna Legion’ has cost us hundreds of millions!” the representative protested. “Good,” Luna responded calmly. “You’ve cost farmers their sovereignty for decades. Consider it karma.” After the presentation, Dr. Doudna approached Luna privately. “You’ve accomplished something remarkable,” the elderly scientist said. “When I developed Crispr, I never imagined a teenager would use similar principles to challenge corporate biology. You’re forcing conversations about genetic ownership that we’ve avoided for decades.” “It needed forcing,” Luna replied. “Corporations were quietly owning life itself, one patent at a time. Someone had to say no.” “The pharmaceutical industry is terrified of you,” Doudna continued. “They see what happened to brewing and imagine the same for their carefully controlled bacterial strains. You’re going to face even more aggressive opposition.” “I know. Once people understand that biological knowledge can be liberated, they start questioning all biological ownership. We’re not stopping.” The New Economy of Taste Following Luna’s breakthrough, peer-to-peer flavor-sharing platforms emerged as the dominant force in food culture. The “FlavorChain” blockchain allowed brewers to track genetic lineages while ensuring proper attribution to original creators. SCOBY lineages were carefully sequenced, catalogued, and registered on global blockchain ledgers. Each award-winning kombucha strain carried a “genetic passport”—its microbial makeup, the unique balance of yeasts and bacteria that gave rise to particular mouthfeel, fizz, and flavor spectrum, was mapped, hashed, and permanently recorded. Brewers who created a new flavor could claim authorship, just as musicians once copyrighted songs. No matter how many times a SCOBY was divided, its fingerprint could be verified. Fermentation Guilds formed to share recipes through FlavorChain, enabling decentralized digital markets like SymbioTrdr, built on trust and transparency rather than speculation. They allowed people to interact and transact on a global, permissionless, self-executing platform. Within days, a SCOBY strain from the Himalayas could appear in a brew in Buenos Aires, its journey traced through open ledgers showing who tended, adapted, and shared it. Kombucha recipes were no longer jealously guarded secrets. They were open to anyone who wanted to brew. With a few clicks, a Guild member in Nairobi could download the blockchain-verified SCOBY genome that had won Gold at the Tokyo Fermentation Festival. Local biotech printers—as common in 2100 kitchens as microwave ovens had once been—could reconstitute the living culture cell by cell. Children began inheriting SCOBY lineages the way earlier generations inherited family names. Weddings combined SCOBY cultures as symbolic unions. (Let’s share our SCOBYs, baby, merge our ferments into one.) When someone died, their SCOBY was divided among friends and family—a continuation of essence through taste. Kombucha was no longer merely consumed; it was communed with. This transparency transformed kombucha from a minority regional curiosity into a universal language. A festival in Brazil might feature ten local interpretations of the same “Golden SCOBY” strain—one brewed with passionfruit, another with cupuaçu, a third with açaí berries. The core microbial signature remained intact, while the terroir of fruit and spice gave each version a unique accent. Brewers didn’t lose their craft—they gained a canvas. Award-winning SCOBYs were the foundations on which endless new flavor experiments flourished. Many people were now as prolific as William Esslinger, the founder of St Louis’s Confluence Kombucha, who was renowned for developing 800 flavors in the 2020s. Code of Symbiosis The Symbiosis Code, ratified at the first World Fermentation Gathering in Reykjavik (2063), bound Fermentation Guilds to three principles: Transparency — All microbial knowledge is to be shared freely. Reciprocity — No brew should be produced without acknowledging the source. Community — Every fermentation must nourish more than the brewer. This code replaced corporate law. It was enforced by reputation, not by governments. A Guild member who betrayed the code found their SCOBYs mysteriously refusing to thrive—a poetic justice the biologists never quite explained. Every Guild had elders—called Mothers of the Jar or Keepers of the Yeast. They carried living SCOBYs wrapped in silk pouches when traveling, exchanging fragments as blessings. These elders became moral anchors of the age, counselors and mediators trusted more than politicians. When disputes arose—over territory, resources, or ethics—brewers, not lawyers, met to share a round of Truth Brew, a ferment so balanced that it was said to reveal dishonesty through bitterness. The Fullness of Time The International Biotech Conference of 2052 invited Luna to give the closing keynote—a controversial decision that prompted several corporate sponsors to withdraw support. The auditorium was packed with supporters, critics, and the merely curious. “Nine years ago, I released genetic sequences for beer yeast strains protected as trade secrets. I was called a thief, a bioterrorist, worse. Today, I want to discuss what we’ve learned from those years of open-source biology.” She displayed a chart showing the explosion of brewing innovation since 2043. “In the traditional corporate model, a few companies control a few strains, producing a limited variety. With the open-source model, thousands of brewers using thousands of variants, producing infinite diversity. As Duff McDonald wrote “Anything that alive contains the universe, or infinite possibility. Kombucha is infinite possibility in a drink.” And the results speak for themselves—flavor innovation accelerated a thousand-fold when we removed corporate control.” A student activist approached the microphone. “Ms. Reyes, you’ve inspired movements to liberate seed genetics, soil bacteria, and traditional medicine cultures. The ‘Luna Legion’ is spreading globally. What’s your message to young people who want to continue this work?” Luna smiled. “First, understand the risks. I was sued by multinational corporations, received death threats, spent years fighting legal battles. This work has costs. Second, be strategic. Release information you’ve generated yourself through legal methods—no hacking, no theft. Third, build communities. I survived because people supported me—legally, financially, emotionally. You can’t fight corporations alone. Finally, remember why you’re doing it: to return biological knowledge to the commons where it belongs. That purpose will sustain you through the hard parts.” Teaching By twenty-eight, Luna was a MacArthur Fellow, teaching fermentation workshops in a converted Anheuser-Busch facility. As she watched her students—former corporate employees learning to think like ecosystems rather than factories—she reflected that her teenage hack had accomplished more than liberating yeast genetics. She had helped humanity remember that flavor, like knowledge, grows stronger when shared rather than hoarded. Luna’s garage had evolved into a sophisticated community biolab. The original jury-rigged equipment had been replaced with professional gear funded by her MacArthur Fellowship. Abuela Rosa still maintained her fermentation crocks in the corner—a reminder of where everything started. A group of five

Epicrispr Biotechnologies is using CRISPR to modulate the expression of disease-causing genes without making cuts to DNA. Its lead program is in development to treat FSHD, a genetic disorder that causes progressive weakness in the muscles of the face, shoulders, and upper arms. We spoke to Amber Salzman, CEO of Epicrispr, about how its one-and-done therapies work to target the epigenome, the company's lead program in FSHD, and the broader applications for its therapeutic approach.

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What if we could delay the age of menopause? Staša Stanković, PhD is a geneticist and bioinformatician with a PhD in Reproductive Genomics from the University of Cambridge. She focuses on deciphering genetic architecture of reproductive ageing and fertility, and their link to health outcomes in women. This work led to the discovery of genetic signals that influence the age women begin menopause and the first evidence of the ability to, through gene manipulation, extend reproductive lifespan and improve fertility in mice, thus paving the path towards first genetic test for the prediction of menopause time and next-generation therapeutics for ovary-centric disorders in humans.(00:00) Stasa's early experiences with womanhood(03:32) Intro to genomics in women's health(05:33) Historical neglect in women's health research(07:51) Delaying motherhood vs. female biology(09:39) Redefining menopause as "reproductive ageing"(13:54) The difference between reproductive ageing in men v. women(14:39) Menopausal timing variation and early menopause(16:54) How the age of menopause can help fertility planning(19:30) How reproductive age relates to our longevity and health(23:02) Epigenetic factors that influence menopause timing(24:49) Mother's diet during pregnancy can influence the menopause timing of the baby(26:46) How genomic medicine is revolutionizing reproductive ageing(30:08) Insights from DNA analysis of 200,000 women(39:45) How ancestry can influence menopausal timing(42:52) Can we delay menopause today?(46:15) Using CRISPR technology to delay menopause in mice(48:49) The goal of delaying menopause(59:23) Why should we "mess" with our biology?Links:Staša's Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stasa-stankovic-93723a137 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lords: * Megan * Lexi Topics: * Erik Satie's performance indications * https://www.ilxor.com/ILX/ThreadSelectedControllerServlet?boardid=60&threadid=4497 * Instant food from other cultures (why isn't everyone eating maggi noodles??) * Seasonal decorations * Delhi Metro * https://docs.google.com/document/d/17k75ftxEn2xR-tJkLSV4H8st5BFAxPNxE3BNCXDI6Go/edit * Becoming Immortal by being predictable * Living in different climates (e.g. my experiences with the harsh winters of Chicago vs sweltering Austin TX summers) Microtopics: * Music implementation for The Lamplighters League. * Watching a streamer play games and asking them for a turn at the controls. * How to pronounce "Erik Satie." * How to pronounce "Gymnopedies." * Finding 100 umbrellas in your dead friend's apartment. * A list of Satie's performance indications. * Grandly forgetting the present. * With your bones dry and distant. * Playing music with your forehead. * Doing something to a piano. * Your boss sending a memo asking you to work with a shy piety. * Pizzicato vs. Bartok pizzicato. * Adding the hamburger so it's not just Helper. * What instant foods are missing from your food vocabulary. * Adding heavy cream to ramen broth. * Getting an apron so you can have a little costume when you cook. * Realizing that when you wear the apron you don't get food on your shirt. * A big bib for Big Jim. * Normalizing scoop bibs. * Kraft Dinner. * Halal certified instant stir fry noodles. * Ramen in a cup or ramen where you provide your own container. * Insurance Mac. * Canned cheeseburgers. * A boring house with nothing on it. * Movable feasts. * Keeping those 12-foot skeletons in your yard and decorating it seasonally. * The beetles that clean bones for you. * Recreational Explosives Day. * A Zachtronics programming puzzle for every holiday. * A movable feast where you don't eat. * Decorating your house to celebrate Toyotathon. * Falling for strangers and their blue hair. * A poem that is long if you read it but short if you recite it. * Taking public transit as an act of defiance. * A gift that is impossible to give yourself on purpose. * Inventing a shower proof phone so nobody ever has shower thoughts again. * Putting your phone in a Ziploc bag and watching movies underwater. * Sitting down at your computer and getting stuck. * Hacking your executive function by adding friction in the right places. * Whether Wellbutrin gives everyone tinnitus or just you. * Death hacks for staying mentally connected to your dead relatives. * A service that puts your podcast on vinyl. * Using CRISPR to infect the cockroach population with 229 episodes of Topic Lords. * Moving to a land where your snot doesn't freeze. * Not trusting your own weather opinions. * Surprising yourself by enjoying seasons. * Driving in icy conditions. * Standing under the heated lamps like a lizard. * Waiting for the bus in the dark. * Learning to drive after you move to a city with public transit. * Not driving with kids. * Getting rid of all the bots. * Sgt. Pepper Bot.

Travis Hardcastle and Seth Hanson answer questions from a webinar where they discuss innovative applications of CRISPR and iPSCs in disease modeling and drug discovery.

Forrest Galante is a 6X world record spear fisherman, wildlife biologist, conservationist & explorer. He hosts 'Extinct or Alive' on Animal Planet, and 'Mysterious Creatures' on Discovery Channel. EPISODE LINKS: https://youtube.com/@ForrestGalante https://instagram.com/forrest.galante SPONSORS: https://magicmind.com/danny - Use code DANNY for up to 56% off your subscription. https://ghostbed.com/danny - Use code DANNY for 40% off. https://ver.so/danny - Use code DANNY to save 15% on your order. FOLLOW DANNY JONES https://www.instagram.com/jonesdanny https://twitter.com/jonesdanny JOIN ON PATREON: https://bit.ly/koncretepatreon OUTLINE: 00:00 - Discovering ancient fossils Florida 02:18 - Spearfishing & sharks 13:23 - Forrest reacts to Egypt Shark Attack Video 14:32 - Footage of Forrest getting struck by lightning 18:22 - What sharks actually eat people? 20:48 - Shark population in the US 30:45 - Growing up in Zimbabwe Africa 40:20 - The active unregulated WAR happening in south Africa 49:00 - Paul Rosolie & the Amazon rainforest 54:46 - Uncontacted tribes 01:01:28 - Origins of the Amazon & Graham Hancock's theory it was man made 01:06:56 - Using CRISPR to bing back the Wooley Mammoth 01:17:30 - The Colombian Amazon 01:20:59 - The Galapagos 01:29:24 - Swimming with Orcas 01:37:06 - Ric O'barry (The Cove) 01:45:07 - Crocodile massacre of Mayanmar 01:51:17 - Largest cave on the planet: Son Doong cave 01:58:42 - Undiscovered Species and Crazy Encounters 02:05:23 - Misconception on sharks 02:15:15 - Mushroom hunting 02:18:55 - Chameleon ranching

Interview with Dan Friesen and Jordan Holmes from the Knowledge Fight podcast; Quickie with Bob: Solar Panels at Proxima Centauri; News Items: Oldest Evidence of Humans in Americas, Addictive Foods, Using CRISPR to Make Chickens Flu Resistant, Superheavy Elements, Prehistoric Solar Storms; Who's That Noisy; Your Questions and E-mails: Nobel Peace Prize; Science or Fiction

Interview with Dan Friesen and Jordan Holmes from the Knowledge Fight podcast; Quickie with Bob: Solar Panels at Proxima Centauri; News Items: Oldest Evidence of Humans in Americas, Addictive Foods, Using CRISPR to Make Chickens Flu Resistant, Superheavy Elements, Prehistoric Solar Storms; Who's That Noisy; Your Questions and E-mails: Nobel Peace Prize; Science or Fiction

In this episode:00:46 Engineered pig kidneys show transplantation promiseKidneys from genetically-engineered miniature pigs have been transplanted into non-human primates, in some cases keeping the animals alive for more than a year. Using CRISPR, a team made dozens of edits to the pig genome to prevent the monkeys' immune system from attacking the organs. They also removed pig retrovirus genes that could represent an infection risk. These steps are necessary if pig organs are to be used in human transplants, something many clinicians and researchers think will be needed to overcome a critical shortage of organs for transplantation.Research article: Anand et al.News and Views: Pig-to-primate organ transplants require genetic modifications of donorNature News: The most-complex gene edits yet move pig organs closer to human transplant09:02 Research HighlightsHow babies' nasal immune systems could explain why they tend to have mild cases of COVID-19, and the molecular ‘glue' that allows 3D printing with challenging materials.Research Highlight: How the littlest children stop SARS-CoV-2 in its tracksResearch Highlight: 3D printing tackles tricky materials with help from tiny crystals11:35 Briefing ChatThis time, the discovery that the human brain uses one system for estimating whether a group contains four or fewer items, and a different one for when there are five or more. Plus, we discuss how researchers fixed the Euclid telescope's wobbles.Nature News: Your brain finds it easy to size up four objects but not five — here's whyNature News: ‘Immense relief': Universe-mapping Euclid telescope fixes problem that threatened missionSubscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2023.07.12.548706v1?rss=1 Authors: Wu, Y., Ding, C., Weinreb, A., Manning, L., Swaim, G., Yogev, S., Colon-Ramos, D., Hammarlund, M. Abstract: Mitochondria transport is crucial for mitochondria distribution in axons and is mediated by kinesin-1-based anterograde and dynein-based retrograde motor complexes. While Miro and Milton/TRAK were identified as key adaptors between mitochondria and kinesin-1, recent studies suggest the presence of additional mechanisms. In C. elegans, ric-7 is the only single gene described so far, other than kinesin-1, that is absolutely required for axonal mitochondria localization. Using CRISPR engineering in C. elegans, we find that Miro is important but is not essential for anterograde traffic, whereas it is required for retrograde traffic. Both the endogenous RIC-7 and kinesin-1 act at the leading end to transport mitochondria anterogradely. RIC-7 recruitment to mitochondria requires its N-terminal domain and partially relies on MIRO-1, whereas RIC-7 accumulation at the leading end depends on its disordered region, kinesin-1 and metaxin2. We conclude that polarized transport complexes containing kinesin-1 and RIC-7 form at the leading edge of mitochondria, and that these complexes are required for anterograde axonal transport. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by Paper Player, LLC

According to scientists, 30,000 species per year are being driven towards extinction and 50% of all species could be extinct by 2050 due to climate change. But what if there was something we could do, in addition to conservation, to change this trajectory? That's what the scientists and engineers at Colossal Biosciences are working towards: reversing extinction. Using CRISPR and advanced gene editing techniques, they plan to bring back the woolly mammoth and the dodo bird to help combat climate change and complement existing conservation efforts. Join us to discuss this topic with Ben Lamm (Colossal Biosciences); Tom Chi (At One Ventures); and John Calvelli (Wildlife Conservation Society).

How do you build a better burger? At SciFi Foods, they do it in the laboratory, using cutting-edge biology and bioengineering technology, like CRISPR, to cultivate beef cells, then add them to plant-based ingredients. On this episode of Tech Bites, host Jennifer Leuzzi talks with Dr. Kasia Gora, PhD, co-founder ,and CTO of SCiFi Foods about the race to be first to market in cultivated beef with the launch of the SCiFi burger.Photo Courtesy of Jen Garcia.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Tech Bites by becoming a member!Tech Bites is Powered by Simplecast.

The new strain of rice could help farmers save labour and water resources while combating weed infestations. You can read the story at: https://botany.one/2023/03/study-develops-herbicide-resistant-super-basmati-rice-using-crispr-cas9/ You can read the original research at https://academic.oup.com/aobpla/article/15/2/plac059/6986705

We're back this week with Seth Shipman from the Gladstone Institutes and the University of California, San Francisco. Seth has built molecular recording devices that can record data within living cells. He even used these methods to re-create one of the first movies put to film. This work has clear technological implications and is also providing insights into phage biology.

An experiment tests whether the gene-editing technology can stop the virus from replicating, which would ultimately wipe out the infection.

An experiment tests whether the gene-editing technology can stop the virus from replicating, which would ultimately wipe out the infection.

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2022.09.19.508525v1?rss=1 Authors: Choi, E. Y., Franco, D., Stapf, C. A., Gordin, M., Chow, A., Cover, K. K., Chandra, R., Lobo, M. K. Abstract: Substance use disorder is a debilitating chronic disease and a leading cause of disability around the world. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a major brain hub that mediates reward behavior. Studies demonstrate exposure to cocaine is associated with molecular and functional imbalance in two NAc medium spiny neuron subtypes (MSNs), dopamine receptor 1 and 2 enriched D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs. Our previous reports showed that repeated cocaine exposure induced transcription factor early growth response 3 (Egr3) mRNA in NAc D1-MSNs, while reducing it in D2-MSNs. Here, we report our findings of repeated cocaine exposure inducing cell subtype specific bidirectional expression of the Egr3 corepressor NGFI-A-binding protein 2 (Nab2). Using CRISPR activation and interference (CRISPRa and CRISPRi) tools combined with Nab2 or Egr3 targeted sgRNAs, we mimicked these bidirectional changes in Neuro2a cells. Furthermore, we investigated D1-MSN and D2-MSN subtype specific expressional changes of histone lysine demethylases Kdm1a, Kdm6a and Kdm5c in NAc after repeated cocaine exposure. Since Kdm1a showed bidirectional expression patterns in D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs, like Egr3, we developed a light inducible Opto-CRISPR-KDM1a system. We were able to downregulate Egr3 and Nab2 transcripts and cause bidirectional expression changes in D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs similar to cocaine exposure in Neuro2A cells. In contrast, our Opto-CRISPR-p300 activation system induced the Egr3 and Nab2 transcripts and caused bidirectional transcription regulations in D1-MSNs and D2-MSNs. Our study sheds light on the expression patterns of Nab2 and Egr3 in specific NAc MSN subtypes in cocaine action and uses CRISPR tools to further mimic these expression patterns. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by PaperPlayer

A topic of science fiction not even a decade ago, genome editing technologies are now being used to research breeding efficiency and bacterial resilience in soybean. Get down to the molecular level in this episode of I See Dead Plants with Host Ed Zaworski and Iowa State University plant virology specialist Dr. Steve Witham as they discuss the CRISPR/Cas9 system and its implications for the future of crop disease management research.  Article discussed: “CRISPR/Cas9-Based Gene Editing Using Egg Cell-Specific Promoters in Arabidopsis and Soybean”. How to cite the podcast Zaworski, E. (Host) and Witham, Steve (Interviewee). Refried Genes: Using CRISPR/Cas9 Systems to Edit the Genome of Soybeans S1:E14 (Podcast). 05-18-22. In I See Dead Plants. Crop Protection Network. www.cropprotectionnetwork.org    

Today on the Naturally Inspired Daily Clip Tammy Talks About: Leo Hohmann's new article on CRISPR.  

Joining Cade in the lab this week is Dr. Peter Bircham to discuss the work his team has done on using CRISPR to edit yeast genes. The Brü Lab is brought to you by Imperial Yeast who provide brewers with the most viable and fresh yeast on the market. Learn more about what Imperial Yeast has to offer at ImperialYeast.com today. | Read More | Reducing phenolic off-flavors through CRISPR-based gene editing of the FDC1 gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae x Saccharomyces eubayanus hybrid lager beer yeasts

UC Consortium launches first clinical trial using CRISPR to correct the gene defect that causes Sickle Cell Disease. Dr. Mark Walters of UCSF talks about a new CRISPR gene therapy developed by scientists and physicians at UC Berkeley, UCSF and UCLA. The trial aims to directly correct the sickle mutation in blood stem cells that causes them to create deformed red blood cells, leading to the debilitating and painful disease. It will be the first time clinical researchers attempt to correct the faulty beta-globin gene in a patient's own cells with non-virally delivered CRISPR gene correction tools. Series: "UC Berkeley News" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 37368]

UC Consortium launches first clinical trial using CRISPR to correct the gene defect that causes Sickle Cell Disease. Dr. Mark Walters of UCSF talks about a new CRISPR gene therapy developed by scientists and physicians at UC Berkeley, UCSF and UCLA. The trial aims to directly correct the sickle mutation in blood stem cells that causes them to create deformed red blood cells, leading to the debilitating and painful disease. It will be the first time clinical researchers attempt to correct the faulty beta-globin gene in a patient's own cells with non-virally delivered CRISPR gene correction tools. Series: "UC Berkeley News" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 37368]

UC Consortium launches first clinical trial using CRISPR to correct the gene defect that causes Sickle Cell Disease. Dr. Mark Walters of UCSF talks about a new CRISPR gene therapy developed by scientists and physicians at UC Berkeley, UCSF and UCLA. The trial aims to directly correct the sickle mutation in blood stem cells that causes them to create deformed red blood cells, leading to the debilitating and painful disease. It will be the first time clinical researchers attempt to correct the faulty beta-globin gene in a patient's own cells with non-virally delivered CRISPR gene correction tools. Series: "UC Berkeley News" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 37368]

UC Consortium launches first clinical trial using CRISPR to correct the gene defect that causes Sickle Cell Disease. Dr. Mark Walters of UCSF talks about a new CRISPR gene therapy developed by scientists and physicians at UC Berkeley, UCSF and UCLA. The trial aims to directly correct the sickle mutation in blood stem cells that causes them to create deformed red blood cells, leading to the debilitating and painful disease. It will be the first time clinical researchers attempt to correct the faulty beta-globin gene in a patient's own cells with non-virally delivered CRISPR gene correction tools. Series: "UC Berkeley News" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 37368]

UC Consortium Launches First Clinical Trial Using CRISPR to Correct Gene Defect That Causes Sickle Cell Disease Dr. Mark Walters of UCSF talks about how those who suffer from sickle cell disease, could be helped by a new CRISPR gene therapy developed by scientists and physicians at UC Berkeley, UCSF and UCLA. The trial aims to directly correct the sickle mutation in blood stem cells that causes them to create deformed red blood cells, leading to the debilitating and painful disease, according to Mark Walters, MD, a professor of pediatrics at UCSF and principal investigator of the clinical trial and gene editing project. It will be the first time clinical researchers attempt to correct the faulty beta-globin gene in a patient's own cells with non-virally delivered CRISPR gene correction tools. Series: "UC Berkeley News" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 37368]

In this CRISPR Cuts episode, Dr. Jesse Boehm, the Chief Scientific Officer of the Break Through Cancer Foundation and principal investigator at the Broad Institute, talks about his work on rare cancers. He also covers how CRISPR technology is transforming cancer research.

KSQD 6-23-2021: All about Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements; DHA helps kill cancer cells; Why pregnant women should get a Coronavirus vaccine; The many benefits of nitric oxide from cardiac health to immunity and reduced stroke risk; Interpreting low ferritin -- iron metabolism effects on inflammation and proper iron supplementation; The importance of Vitamin D, an immune system signaling hormone -- you get worse COVID-19 illness with low Vitamin D; New applications of CRISPR to affect epigenetic changes rather than direct DNA editing -- a safer strategy to treat genetic diseases; Poor gum microbiome increases amyloid in spinal fluid and raises risks for dementia

KSQD 6-23-2021: All about Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements; DHA helps kill cancer cells; Why pregnant women should get a Coronavirus vaccine; The many benefits of nitric oxide from cardiac health to immunity and reduced stroke risk; Interpreting low ferritin -- iron metabolism effects on inflammation and proper iron supplementation; The importance of Vitamin D, an immune system signaling hormone -- you get worse COVID-19 illness with low Vitamin D; New applications of CRISPR to affect epigenetic changes rather than direct DNA editing -- a safer strategy to treat genetic diseases; Poor gum microbiome increases amyloid in spinal fluid and raises risks for dementia

First, Gavriel's muscles got weaker. Then, he lost the ability to walk. From there, things will only get worse. The cause is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic disorder with no cure. But that might soon change. Using CRISPR, a state-of-the-art gene-editing tool, SickKids scientists were able to correct the disease-causing mutation in mice. The result? Improved muscle strength and function—and no signs of paralysis. Now, they're refining their approach, so they can take this treatment out of the lab and into the world.For more information on this episode, visit sickkidsfoundation.com/podcast/duchenne. And to fund research like this, go to sickkidsfoundation.com/donateSickKids Foundation is proud to recognize CIBC as the Premier Sponsor of the SickKids VS Podcast.

Did you know cassava can cause cyanide poisoning if it is not processed correctly and consumed with a protein-poor diet? In this episode, we chat with IGI researchers, Jess Lyons and Michael Gomez about their work on using CRISPR to reduce cyanide in cassava and improve its food safety.

The gene editing technology CRISPR-Cas9 is being harnessed to alter DNA, but Locanabio is using it to create a new class of genetic medicines that can precisely target and modify dysfunctional RNA. The company says that its approach will allow it to produce in vivo medicines that combine the specificity of RNA-binding proteins with the effect of a one-time gene therapy. We spoke to Jim Burns, CEO of Locanabio, about its platform technology, the benefits of using CRISPR to target disease-causing RNA, and why this approach could be applied to a broad range of genetic diseases.

Joe, Tim, and Ben talk about the long awaited Model Y 7-seater, SpaceX Starship SN9 triple static fire, and scientists using CRISPR to store binary data in DNA Read more from the articles we referenced: Model Y 5 Star Saftey - https://www.tesla.com/blog/model-y-achieves-5-star-overall-safety-rating-nhtsa Model Y Crash Videos - https://twitter.com/Tesla/status/1349572805122113540 Model Y 7 Seater - https://insideevs.com/features/465979/video-tesla-model-y-seven-seat-buying-advice/ SN9 does a triple header static fire! - https://youtu.be/swL4xrmmLCk Earth's Future - https://phys.org/news/2021-01-earth-future-outlook-worse-scientists.amp New Shepard launches their 14th New Shepard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9oTZu2HP8U #whydonttheyjust by @Metaphoriumino1 - https://twitter.com/Metaphoriumino1/status/1349774839368790019 Lebron gets a Hummer EV, maybe - https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/lifestyle/bad-girl-watch-lebron-james-230000984.html CRISPR DNA data storage - https://www.newscientist.com/article/2264383-crispr-gene-editing-used-to-store-data-in-dna-inside-living-cells/ Insight loses MOLE - https://twitter.com/NASAInSight/status/1349760462854909957?s=20 https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/spacecraft/about-the-lander/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/olfpod/message

Join the drunk grads as they discuss the Nobel Prize winners, Where traffic comes from, How people are allergic to the moon, and much more in this episode. We also got questions from @phonotactless, @Natural1Podcast, and @Brineshrimp2 on twitter. If you want to submit a question then DM us @Drunkenlyedu on all social media platforms. Listen Responsibly

We see this new ingredient appearing advertised and in products everywhere. On the billboards, in the new shops next to our favorite restaurant, on the counters at the barbershop and when we pick up our prescriptions at the pharmacy. C-B-D. It has to do with the ongoing revolution that’s happening around the country—around the world—regarding the deregulation of marijuana. But there’s another revolution that will change our consumption of cannabinoids. That of synthetic biology.

Rich Horgan, How A Nonprofit Pharma Company Is Using CRISPR To Cure Muscular Dystrophy Many of us face challenging medical diagnoses, and those with rare diseases often get the news without any treatment options. Rich Horgan's family has been fighting his brother's Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) diagnosis for over two decades. Rich's relentless dedication to helping his brother Terry led him to leave Harvard Business School to create the first nonprofit drug company to use CRISPR to cure DMD. Rich shares his journey, the future of personalized gene therapy and how he built an organization to save not only his own brother, but other patients fighting these incurable diseases.

Rich Horgan, How A Nonprofit Pharma Company Is Using CRISPR To Cure Muscular Dystrophy Many of us face challenging medical diagnoses, and those with rare diseases often get the news without any treatment options. Rich Horgan’s family has been fighting his brother’s Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) diagnosis for over two decades. Rich’s relentless dedication to helping his brother Terry led him to leave Harvard Business School to create the first nonprofit drug company to use CRISPR to cure DMD. Rich shares his journey, the future of personalized gene therapy and how he built an organization to save not only his own brother, but other patients fighting these incurable diseases. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app The post Rich Horgan: How A Nonprofit Pharma Company Is Using CRISPR To Cure Muscular Dystrophy appeared first on Momentum Magnet.

In this episode of a16z bio Journal Club, general partner Vijay Pande, bio deal team partner Andy Tran, and bio editor Lauren Richardson discuss a novel CRISPR-Cas-based anti-viral strategy.The discussion covers the differences between this newly developed prophylactic strategy, traditional vaccines, and anti-viral drugs; how this strategy can be engineered to target a huge range of coronavirus and influenza strains; and the next steps needed to go from paper to practice:“Development of CRISPR as an Antiviral Strategy to Combat SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza” in Cell (April 2020), by Timothy Abbott, Girija Dhamdhere, Yanxia Liu, Xueqiu Lin, Laine Goudy, Leiping Zeng, Augustine Chemparathy, Stephen Chmura, Nicholas Heaton, Robert Debs, Tara Pande, Drew Endy, Marie La Russa, David Lewis, and Lei Qia16z Journal Club (part of the a16z Podcast), curates and covers recent advances from the scientific literature -- what papers we’re reading, and why they matter from our perspective at the intersection of biology & technology (for bio journal club). You can find all these episodes at a16z.com/journalclub.

Catherine Freije and Cameron Myhrvold are working on a test for the Covid-19 virus that will provide faster results than what's currently in use. They explain Why more prevalent and faster testing is vital in fighting the virus, How the development of a CRISPR-based diagnostic test, which primarily uses a nasal swab collection, can provide faster results—from an hour to a half hour, and The mechanics of how this test actually works with the CRISPR process, Cas13, and reporter signaling, and how the general process has worked with other viral infections. Cameron Myhrvold is a postdoctoral fellow in the Sabeti Lab and Catherine Freije is a Ph.D. student in Harvard University's Program in Virology and is also working in the Sabeti Lab. These two virologists discuss an exciting step forward in rapid testing for the Covid-19 virus that involves CRISPR. First, they discuss some general concerns of understanding how long the virus may linger and when exactly we can know when someone is contagion-free.  They explain that if we could test a lot of people more rapidly, it would be really helpful step forward. They tell listeners that their test is quantitative and can let you distinguish between infection levels that are really low or moderate versus high. They then explain the mechanics of the virus test: basically, they use a CRISPR process called Sherlock that picks a target with Cas13 and amplifies it for inspection through the cleaving process and reporter signaling.  They explain that this general process has been used for other viral infections like the Zika virus and Dengue, but must be specified for Covid-19. They add that they are still in the optimization phase, getting the test to work as well as possible. However, the turnaround for use will likely be accelerated by the FDA. They address other concerns about testing for the virus and challenges they may face. For more, see the lab website: https://www.sabetilab.org/

My guest today is D.A. Wallach, one of the more interesting investors I’ve come across. He is the former lead singer of the group Chester French and the former artist-in-residence at Spotify, where he was also an early investor. While he’s also an early investor in companies like SpaceX, his focus the last 5 years has been on early stage health care investing, which is the topic of this conversation. We discuss the entire life sciences and heath care investing ecosystem. This was recorded in the very early days of the Coronavirus outbreak so while we touch on it briefly it isn’t the primary focus, and I intend on returning to more traditional episodes like this one in the coming weeks, meant to be evergreen conversations. Please enjoy my conversation with D.A. Wallach. For more episodes go to InvestorFieldGuide.com/podcast. Sign up for the book club, where you’ll get a full investor curriculum and then 3-4 suggestions every month at InvestorFieldGuide.com/bookclub. Follow Patrick on Twitter at @patrick_oshag   Show Notes 1:31 – (First question) – Where is interest in healthcare started 4:04 – How to categorize health services 5:13 – The product of medicine 6:56 – How medicine is changing in 2020 10:17 – What is enabling innovation in medicine 12:41 – Manufacturing of solutions, gene therapy example 17:16 – Using CRISPR 19:47 – Pros and cons, and the morality of gene intervention 23:44 – How progress is being made in medical breakthroughs 26:51 – What is the business and investment world seeing on the longevity side 30:15 – What is next in the wearable medical tracking trend 33:04 – The personalization of medical treatments 34:31 – How he thinks about all of this from an investing standpoint 36:37 – Exiting these companies 39:41 – How he thinks about founders in this space 42:35 – Drug prices             42:46 – The Paradox of Pricing 46:45 – What will lead to a change in the pricing of drugs 49:05 – The delivery side of healthcare 51:09 – Investments that could improve the delivery side of healthcare 53:33 – Thoughts on the anti-interventionist line of thinking in the medical world 57:50 – Lessons from his health portfolio 1:02:33 – Other frontiers that pique his interest, including gut biome 1:06:46 – His career in music 1:08:20 – Lessons he learned during his time in the music industry 1:10:19 – Opportunities in the music industry as an investor 1:12:29 – Kindest thing anyone has done for DA   Learn More For more episodes go to InvestorFieldGuide.com/podcast.  Sign up for the book club, where you’ll get a full investor curriculum and then 3-4 suggestions every month at InvestorFieldGuide.com/bookclub Follow Patrick on Twitter at @patrick_oshag

This week on The People's Scientist podcast, I share with you an update on the first approved clinical trial using CRISPR gene editing in North America for cancer therapy. This clinical trial aims to recruit 18 patients living with cancer to test the safety and efficacy of CRISPR gene editing the patients' T-cells to seek out and kills their own cancer cells. Follow me on social media to see the papers I mention and for more scientific updates:IG: Dr.SCaligiuriFB: ThePeoplesScientistTwitter: DrSCaligiuriLinkedIn: Dr. Stephanie Caligiuri See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As Basil continues to traverse on a distant timeline from our own, Gonz is joined by guest co-host Mel from Truthstream Media. They discuss Jeff Bezos’ new video of using his robot arms, a quick update on the scam that is the LIBRA project, and a Bloomberg article on how robots are decoding the cryptic language of central bankers! Go follow us on our new Twitch channel and stay tuned, as we will soon announce the date of our first live stream! And we know it’s not the best platform right now, but join us on Patreon to get MORE!   AGG for the WEEK of June 20th-June 26th YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST, FOLKS! How to make money off Facebook’s Libra — Quartz    FLIPPY AND FAM! Robots Can Now Decode the Cryptic Language of Central Bankers - Bloomberg  Watch Jeff Bezos playing with giant remote-controlled robot hands - Business Insider  First-of-its-kind robotic arm works without brain implant  McDonalds Is Trialing Kitchen Robots And Voice-Automated Drive-Thrus  Toyota Basketball Bot Earns Guinness Record With 2,020 Perfect Throws | Digital Trends  Trash-Picking Robots? Park Bench Monitors? Toronto Debates Tech Giant’s Waterfront Plans    TECHNOLOGY, ROBOTS, AND AI! OH MY! This AI Uses Echolocation to Follow Your Every Move  AI services startup Hypergiant brings on Bill Nye as an advisor | TechCrunch  How Conversational Artificial Intelligence Is Providing Companionship To The Elderly  Artificial Intelligence Is Coming for Our Faces | WIRED  This terrifying AI generates fake articles from any news site  Thanks to AI, we know we can teleport qubits in the real | Cosmos  Artificial intelligence can't solve online extremism issue, experts tell House panel | TheHill  How Facebook's New 'Mirror World' Will Help Train AI  Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder, says he'd start an AI company today  Hackers are turning our AI security systems against us — but they can be stopped  Can Space Robots Save Humanity?  MIT's new robot can identify things by sight and by touch  Wearable robot 'WalkON Suit' off to Cybathlon 2020  Self-Assembling Microrobots Can Be Programmed To Form A Tiny Car | Digital Trends  Bike and Snake: Meet the robots that will keep Norway's gas flowing  Robotic Vending Machines Want To Feed You Frozen Yogurt  Study: Social robots can benefit hospitalized children    BECAUSE SCIENCE! Physicists develop new method to prove quantum entanglement    CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND SOMETIMES FACTS! First clinical trail for male contraceptive gel starts in UK - Business Insider  Trump accidentally debunks his own “deep state” FBI conspiracy theory  - Vox  A brief history of the politics of UFOs - CNNPolitics  Moon landing 50th anniversary: why people like Steph Curry have supported conspiracy theories - Vox  UFO sighting: ‘Alien craft’ spotted during NASA Apollo 12 moon walk | Weird | News | Express.co.uk  Conspiracy Theorist Alex Jones Evades Crackdown On Social Media Sites  Arizona Board of Education backs off changes to sex ed curriculum amid uproar | Fox News  YouTube Star Etika Is Found Dead in NYC  Dementia risk tied to anticholinergic drugs in a new study - CNN  Smartphones aren’t making millennials grow horns. Here’s how to spot a bad study | PBS NewsHour  CLIMATE CHANGE AGENDA Here’s how AI can help fight climate change according to the field’s top thinkers - The Verge    SPACE/ALIENS/ETs/UFOs NASA Wants Robots to Sniff Out Moon Pits for Astronaut Homes | Space  Astronauts, not robots, essential to getting answers on the moon - UPI.com  Nasa Mars rover discovers gas that suggests recent alien life | The Independent  On Digital Mysticism  Mississippi town dedicates historical marker at site of 'alien abduction' | Fox News  Alien life on Mars may have emerged earlier than life on Earth, study says - CNET    BIOMEDICAL/GENETICS/TRANSHUMANISM Genetic Adam is 340,000 Years Old - Neatorama  Russia Will Genetically Test Soldiers To Identify The Best Fighters And Thinkers  Genetics research gets help from social media - Reuters  Experts warn consumers about genetic DNA screening scams  Transhumanism Is Tempting—Until You Remember Inspector Gadget | WIRED  Transhumanism and genetically altering people, today's great ethical challenge | ROME REPORTS  What is biohacking? The new “science” of optimizing your brain and body. - Vox  Scientist develops novel algorithm to aid search for exoplanets  Non-addictive CRISPR-edited tobacco could help eliminate smoking | New Scientist  "This is crazy!"—Top Scientists Condemn Russian's Plan for CRISPR Babies | BioSpace  The Art of Gene-editing Butterflies (Painting With CRISPR) Video | Technology Networks  CRISPR in Russia: The World's Next Gene-Edited Babies May Not Be Far Away  Using CRISPR to resurrect the dead - CNET    THE NEW AGE AND OCCULT IN THE NEWS The Witches are Back  The Modern Witch – XPRESS MAGAZINE  On Digital Mysticism    FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE TECHNOCALYPSE Elon Musk's 'Moon Mix-Up' Was Actually an Epic Bezos Troll  Elon Musk: Here’s Why World Population Will Start To Collapse Soon | Daily Wire  Elon Musk bewilders Twitter users with tweet about Mars  Tesla close to quarterly delivery record, Elon Musk says in email - Business Insider  Washington town where Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates live is having a budget crisis | Fox Business  Jeff Bezos says going to the moon is harder now than it was for JFK – GeekWire  Bernard Arnault, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates Worth $100 Billion Each - Bloomberg  Even Bill Gates pronounces ‘Bezos’ wrong — here’s how to say the Amazon CEO’s name – GeekWire  Mark Zuckerberg to speak at Aspen Ideas conference - CNN  Mark Zuckerberg deepfake video: Why Facebook hasn't taken it down yet - Business Insider    CRYPTOCURRENCY & THE B-B-B-BLOCKCHAIN Salesforce Explores Blockchain To Stop Biased Robots From Ruining $1 Trillion Opportunity    SOCIAL MEDIA/GOOGLE/AMAZON Designers built an AI penis detector to protest Google’s prudish doodles - The Verge  Senator Markey Asks FTC to Force Google to Delete Data on Minors - Bloomberg  Google Chrome now lets you flag sketchy websites - CNN  Thune Wants Google and Facebook to Have Algorithm-Free Options - Bloomberg  Google Responds to Claims That Maps Has Millions of Fake Business Listings  Google's new curriculum teaches kids how to spot fake news and URLs - TechSpot  How Google searches might be able to predict the 2020 Democratic race - CNNPolitics  Amazon overtakes Google and Apple to become the world’s most valuable brand | TechRadar  Google warns its employees that Pride protests are against the company’s code of conduct Amazon is leasing more planes so it can deliver packages on its own - CNN  Amazon receives US patent for surveillance as a service — Quartz  32 Mind-Blowing Amazon Statistics for 2019  Walmart and Amazon want to see inside your house. Should you let them? - Los Angeles Times How to stop Amazon ads, Alexa from tracking you  Brazil court slashes fine for Facebook's refusal to share WhatsApp data - Reuters  Facebook is building a dedicated news tab for publishers - Business Insider  Why the Lonely Stand to Lose the Most from Facebook | Psychology Today

CRISPR stands for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats. Long name, but easy to picture: the sequence is synonymous to a word processor for a book, the book being DNA, which allows scientists to not only read the book, but to also edit a specific 'passage' of the book. Using CRISPR technology, DNA edits were performed on female twin embryos by Chinese scientist Jiankui He, who has since lost his standing in the scientific community. Xinzhu Wei & Rasmus Nielsen, from the University of California Berkeley, followed up with the birth of the twins in an article published in... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

CRISPR stands for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats. Long name, but easy to picture: the sequence is synonymous to a word processor for a book, the book being DNA, which allows scientists to not only read the book, but to also edit a specific 'passage' of the book. Using CRISPR technology, DNA edits were performed on female twin embryos by Chinese scientist Jiankui He, who has since lost his standing in the scientific community. Xinzhu Wei & Rasmus Nielsen, from the University of California Berkeley, followed up with the birth of the twins in an article published in... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

CRISPR Cas9 has been in the news a lot lately, good and bad. This week I finished my CRISPR Cas9 experiment where I genetically modified a sample of E. coli to have it grow in a usually fatal environment. Read the article to learn more!

Join Dr. Jason Reed as he describes a novel method by which endonuclease-inhibited Cas9 can be employed as a programmable biomarker in high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) imaging. In this webinar, you will learn: 1. How CRISPR/Cas9 can be used to "flag" alterations and mutations in DNA, rather than cut it 2. How pairing atomic force microscopy (AFM) with optical equipment found in DVD players can be used to map DNA at a faster rate than traditional DNA sequencing 3. Applications of this technology, particularly in relation to discovering and diagnosing genetic diseases Since the diameter of the Cas9 molecule is greater than that of DNA, they are easy to locate along the DNA strand. Taking advantage of this, Jason's lab reported approximately 90% Cas9 binding accuracy to DNA molecules under optimized conditions. The alignment of single-molecule maps with nanoscale resolution becomes far more computationally straightforward than if labels are localized with multi-kb ambiguity. This process yields reduced processing time and cost for assembling a consensus map. Given its single-molecule sensitivity, approximately 15 bp accuracy, and no amplification requirement, Dr. Reed's novel method is amenable to small sample sizes. This proves to be an advantage in clinical situations where obtaining the almost 10 μg of DNA required for single-molecule sequencing is extremely difficult—if not impossible!

Alison Van Eenennaam is a geneticist at UC Davis, primarily interested in using CRISPR and other DNA-based biotechnologies in cattle production and agricultural systems. Learn about her exciting projects, ranging from "All Boys" cattle to hornless dairy cows, and the technical difficulties of working with large mammals in this episode.

Dr. Alejandro “Alex” Chavez, MD, PhD, assistant professor of pathology and cell biology at Columbia University, provides a detailed overview of the advances in CRISPR/Cas9 technology. CRISPR/Cas9 is a genome protection system utilized by many microbes to prevent foreign DNA and nucleic acids from infiltrating their genomes and potentially causing damage. Gene editing (changing the sequence of DNA) is not a new development, but the CRISPR/Cas9 technology allows for greater efficiency with gene editing at a lowered cost. CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, and the Cas9 essentially acts, as Dr. Chavez states, like a targeted missile. It works by taking small pieces of a genome and utilizing Cas9 to target or hunt down other copies of the sequence. As researchers learned more, the push to increase human gene editing, to target and attack specific genes reached an intense demand, for the potential for medical and scientific breakthroughs is immense. As Chavez explains, once Cas9 learns that a particular sequence belongs to a virus it will then seek it out, bind to it, and cut it, thus rendering it ineffectual. And as the defense effect takes hold, it strengthens other DNA in a system increasing resistance overall. Dr. Chavez discusses how the use of Cas9 has to be extremely specific, as Cas9 is so hard-working that it's essential that it be carefully planned so as to attack only the intended target. The cell biology expert provides an overview of restriction enzymes and the targeting and cutting of DNA. As he states, with CRIPSR, researchers can target literally anything they want, making it more efficient in research as a precision tool. Dr. Chavez explains the remarkable possibilities that CRISPR technology has created, as it can be utilized to turn single genes off, one by one, to see what happens, thus allowing for a systematic pattern of research. But as CRISPR is excellent at cutting genes off, there hasn't been an easy way to use CRISPR to turn genes on, so as the cell biology professor explains, their research features study in this area. He expresses the importance of seeing the gene in various ways, to have two different pictures of what the gene is doing. Chavez's lab built a tool that allows researchers to use CRISPR to turn genes on, which gives researchers a deeper look into the gene's actions and how it works. Chavez discusses Cas9 variants in terms of how they are utilized, their specificities, and how they cut DNA. He explains that while the variations are many, most researchers use Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) due to its overall efficiency, for as Chavez states, it's a jack of all trades. The genome researcher provides information on some future developments on the horizon, such as in vivo recorders that make physical copies of events within the genome, and the packaging of CRISPR for sterilization in medical procedures. Additionally, he explains how CRISPR specificity can allow more targeted cutting such that an exact area can be cut to specifically kill only the part of a bacterium that is harmful. With the advances in CRISPR, Chavez's lab is diving deeper into study of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as well as others, to understand the biology of diseases.

Helen Lee Breton is a researcher who works in Dr. Chen's lab. Scientists at Texas Biomed are using CRISPR technology to try to create a new animal model for liver cancer. Liver cancer can have its roots in infectious diseases or metabolic conditions. And it’s a killer worldwide. Promising therapies developed in mouse models have failed in humans. So the experts at the Southwest National Primate Research Center think a bigger animal like a monkey might work better. The Southwest National Primate Research Center at Texas Biomed is home to more than a thousand of these Old World monkeys. CRISPR came on to the scientific scene in 2012. Christopher Chen, Ph.D., says it’s really making a huge impact in labs around the country.  

This episode: Scientists study how fungi make interesting peptides using large proteins instead of ribosomes. Download Episode (8.7 MB, 9.5 minutes) Show notes: Microbe of the episode: Nerine virus X News item Journal Paper: Yu D, Xu F, Zhang S, Zhan J. 2017. Decoding and reprogramming fungal iterative nonribosomal peptide synthetases. Nat Commun 8:ncomms15349. Other interesting stories: Using CRISPR to encode a short movie into a bacterial genome (paper) Virus that tolerates boiling acid could be model for super-tough nanomaterials Avoiding microbiota disruption protects frogs from parasites Soil microbe communities are also recovering in prairie restoration Couples modify each other's microbe communities, though not much   Email questions or comments to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening! Subscribe: iTunes, RSS, Google Play. Support the show at Patreon, or check out the show at Twitter or Facebook

This episode: Even organisms as simple as viruses can communicate with each other! Download Episode (12.7 MB, 13.9 minutes) Show notes: Microbe of the episode: Sweet potato virus C Commentary (paywall) Great talk about bacterial communication by Dr. Bonnie Bassler Journal Paper: Erez Z, Steinberger-Levy I, Shamir M, Doron S, Stokar-Avihail A, Peleg Y, Melamed S, Leavitt A, Savidor A, Albeck S, Amitai G, Sorek R. 2017. Communication between viruses guides lysis–lysogeny decisions. Nature 541:488–493. Other interesting stories: Engineering gut bacteria to detect and report gut inflammation Plants give fat to their root fungi in exchange for other nutrients Gut microbe metabolite linked with lower risk of diabetes Making bioelectrodes by embedding bacteria in glass (paper) Using CRISPR to discover new drug-producing bacterial genes   Post questions or comments here or email to bacteriofiles at gmail dot com. Thanks for listening! Subscribe: iTunes, RSS, Google Play. Support the show at Patreon, or check out the show at Twitter or Facebook

Scientists have found a way to remove the HIV virus from the DNA in mouse cells using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. According to the journal, Molecular Therapy, use of the technique has led to the complete elimination of infection in mouse organs and tissue after just one treatment. Now, that's the kind of international tech news that really gets us excited around here! And, yes! The team at the African Tech Round-up is back from a much-needed break, and we're super-stoked to catch up on news like this CRISPR HIV breathrough, as well as dive into some of the other significant headlines that dropped while we were away. We're pleased to announce that Musa Kalenga will be joining Andile as a guest co-host on the show every fortnight starting this week to chat about the most important stories and to unpack major trends impacting Africa's tech ecosystem. Music Credits: Music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Music licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

In this episode, we explore the origins of plant domestication at the genetic level. Is plant domestication that different from genome editing and are GMOs different from "non-GMOs"? You've probably heard the buzz around CRISPR for modifying genes, and treating cancer, bu you may have no idea what CRISPR is. We go deep into CRISPR in this episode in order to understand how we can modify and edit the genome of plants we consume.