The next software revolution: programming biological cells | Sara-Jane Dunn

Summary

The speaker discusses the emerging 'living software revolution,' where biology, rather than silicon, becomes the platform for technological breakthroughs. By programming biochemistry, we could revolutionize sectors like medicine, agriculture, and energy, unlocking transformative therapies, sustainable agriculture, and advanced energy solutions. The speaker highlights the progress in understanding biological computation and genetic programming, focusing on stem cells and their potential to repair damaged tissue. Ultimately, this revolution will bridge software and biology, leading to a new era of innovation, powered by synthetic biology and its applications across multiple industries.

Takeaways

• 😀 The second half of the 20th century was defined by the software revolution, while the first half of the 21st century will be transformed by a new living software revolution powered by biological programming.
• 😀 The living software revolution will harness the power of biology to create new therapies, repair damaged tissues, and build programmable biological systems.
• 😀 Unlike traditional software, biological systems are self-organizing, self-repairing, and operate at the molecular scale, which presents unique challenges for programming biology.
• 😀 Biology as computation is a key concept: understanding how cells 'compute' and make decisions could enable breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, agriculture, and energy.
• 😀 By understanding biological programs, we could potentially reprogram cells to repair tissue, reprogram faulty cells, or even create novel molecular devices for immune therapy.
• 😀 Tools like CRISPR, genetic editing, and synthetic DNA circuits are already available, but the process of using them effectively remains complex and often unpredictable.
• 😀 A major challenge is that biological systems operate through decentralized, molecular-level interactions, which makes them fundamentally different from engineered systems.
• 😀 Through computational tools, scientists are making progress in understanding how cells make decisions and predicting how they will behave in new conditions.
• 😀 The idea of a 'living software compiler' could enable scientists to design biological functions as easily as computer programs, bridging the gap between biology and technology.
• 😀 To realize the potential of programming biology, a truly interdisciplinary approach is needed, combining biology, computer science, and engineering to create shared tools and languages.
• 😀 While the potential of programming biology is immense, ethical considerations and safeguards must be in place to prevent misuse, such as designing bacteria that evade immune responses.

Q & A

What is the main technological revolution discussed in the transcript?

The main technological revolution discussed is the 'living software revolution,' which refers to the ability to program biochemistry on a material called biology. This revolution aims to transform fields such as medicine, agriculture, and energy by harnessing the properties of biology.

How does the living software revolution differ from the first software revolution?

The first software revolution was powered by programming silicon, which led to the creation of technologies and industries around computing and IT. In contrast, the living software revolution involves programming biology, enabling breakthroughs in medicine, agriculture, and energy by manipulating biological systems.

What are some potential applications of living software in agriculture?

Living software could lead to programmable plants that fix nitrogen more effectively, resist fungal pathogens, or even become perennial crops, increasing yields. These advances would help address the challenge of feeding a growing global population.

How could living software transform the field of medicine?

Living software could enable the design of programmable immunity, where molecular devices guide the immune system to detect, eradicate, or prevent diseases. It would also allow for personalized therapies, such as reprogramming cells to repair damaged tissues or regenerate organs.

What is CRISPR, and how does it relate to the development of living software?

CRISPR is a gene-editing technology that allows for precise alterations to the genetic code. It is one of the tools that makes the living software revolution possible, enabling scientists to edit genes and rewrite DNA to design biological functions and behaviors.

What is the current challenge in programming biology?

A major challenge in programming biology is the complexity of living systems, which self-organize, self-repair, and operate at molecular scales. Unlike engineered systems, biology operates through intricate molecular-level interactions that are difficult to predict and control, requiring deep expertise and trial-and-error experimentation.

What is the significance of understanding biological computation in living cells?

Understanding biological computation is crucial because it helps decipher the programs that control cellular behavior. By understanding these programs, scientists can 'debug' cells when they malfunction or learn to design synthetic biological circuits that exploit the computational power of biochemistry.

How did the research team use computational tools to uncover the genetic program in embryonic stem cells?

The team used a tool to encode experimental observations about gene activity as mathematical expressions. By applying computational logic, they uncovered the first molecular program that could explain the behavior of embryonic stem cells and predict how to efficiently induce the naïve state, where stem cells are pluripotent.

What challenges remain in the process of reprogramming cells?

Reprogramming cells to a naïve state is still an inefficient and trial-and-error process. Although scientists have discovered protocols for certain cell types, the understanding of how and why these processes work is still incomplete, especially when trying to reprogram cells into specific types, such as brain or heart cells.

What is the broader vision for programming biology, and how will it impact industries?

The broader vision is to develop tools and languages that allow scientists to design biological functions with precision, akin to programming a computer. If successful, this could lead to breakthroughs in fields like energy, materials science, agriculture, and medicine, with applications ranging from sustainable energy production to new medical therapies and more efficient agricultural practices.

What are the ethical concerns related to programming biology, and how can they be addressed?

Ethical concerns include the potential for misuse, such as engineering bacteria to evade immune systems or creating harmful biological agents. To address these risks, it's essential to have safeguards in place, conduct bioethics research, and regulate the implementation of biological functions to ensure that these technologies are used responsibly.

How might the living software revolution impact energy production?

The living software revolution could revolutionize energy production by enabling the design of biological systems that mimic nature’s processes, such as photosynthesis. For example, if we could replicate the efficiency of plants in harnessing solar energy, it could lead to the development of better, bio-based solar cells and sustainable energy solutions.