Computer-controlled yeast
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November 7, 2011 |
I love that yeasty smell of freshly baked bread. But when I’m doing some home baking I don’t usually think of using my computer – till now that is!
A team of scientists have used computer-controlled flashes of light to switch certain genes on and off in a common yeast.
In future this technique could be used to help control other biological processes, such as the production of biofuels and antibiotics.
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Flashing coloured lights may seem like a simple technique, but it enabled the scientists to control complex biochemical processes.
Image: Flickr/Martin Cathrae
Kate
It does annoy me somewhat that you have decided to link this brilliant science to breadmaking just because the microbe used was yeast. I did my PhD on Yeast and it is a fantastic model organism, useful for investigating all kinds of basic biological questions. When trying to explain my research to relatives I had to get them away from thinking about bread or beer because it didn’t help with understanding what I was doing at all. I realise you want to bring science to a wider audience but this is not the way to do it!
Nicola
Hello Kate,
Thanks for commenting on this story. I must admit I’m a keen baker, so when I read that the yeast used in the experiment was also used in bread making, I chose an image which made sense to me and which I hoped would click with our readers. However, it sound’s like you’ve been working to change this perception of yeast and so it would be great to hear your suggestions for an alternative picture! All the best.