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Biology is transforming from a descriptive
field to a predictive science. Quantitative predictions are, of course, a
prerequisite for design tools. Bio-engineers are providing a base upon which
disruptive technologies and entirely new products are being built.
Biotechnology extends far beyond human healthcare. Enzyme reactions can replace
many high-temperature, high-energy and chemical processes currently used in
manufacturing. Chances are that your beautiful new "stone-washed"
jeans got their look from an enzyme bath. And if you wash those jeans with Ariel
detergent, know that your soap was bio-engineered by Genencor.
Biomaterials are a rich source for creating new materials. The abalone
architects its tough, ceramic mother-of-pearl from layers of a mineral and a
polymer. Sandia National Labs studied the abalone and figured out how to make a
hard optical coating that self-assembles. Chitin derived from arthropod
exoskeletons could also be used to create lightweight structural frames for a
variety of products.
Nexia Biotechnologies is synthesizing the molecular components of spider silk in
the mammary glands of goats and polymerizing them into ultra-strong
super-textiles. The adhesive properties of insect pads are being isolated and
manipulated to develop highly adherent surfaces.
Mammalian sensory transduction pathways could be synthetically reengineered to
create customized light, olfactant and chemical sensory devices.
Reengineering molecular processes is resulting in new roles and functions.
Plastic components are being engineered to grow as a crop, such as in corn
kernels. The harvested material could be used to create a chair and at the end
of its lifecycle the chair is sprinkled with enzymes and it dissolves. New
strategic alliances would happen between the furniture designer and the biotech
company that farms the plastic materials. Given far simpler manufacturing
processes, micro-manufacturing and virtually immediate time-to-market are
feasible.
A central focus in bioelectronics is the design of logical and control circuits.
Several biological molecules can uniquely recognize other molecules, such as
antibodies recognizing antigens. Integrating silicon chips, cantilevers and
carbon-based structures can produce bio-electronic materials that control the
nanoscale patterns of hybrid electronic devices and improve upon current
lithographic capability.
As of yet, DNA computing is a compelling idea and laboratory novelty.
Conventional silicon computing is in base two. Problems are reduced to the
simplest high-voltage or low-voltage binary computation. DNA computing is in
base four, which allows many more options.
Today's news stories feature imminent gene therapy and genetically modified
food. Food and medicine are heavily regulated and subject to lengthy testing,
however. Bio-future's first major manifestation could be to revolutionize the
materials and processes of product development. Multimillions of dollars in
venture capital are fueling the tools and pipes of the bio-economy and jockeying
to own them, innovate and capture value. The big, sizzling-hot question is:
"What is bio-tech's killer app?"
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