http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sali0090/synbio/ Thoughts on Synthetic Biology! en-us 2005-11-18T11:59:38-06:00 http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sali0090/synbio/032466.html In the past 3 years, I've developed some very advanced methods for computing the stochastic dynamical behavior of "small" physical or chemical systems, which especially includes biological systems. The methods are an improvement over existing ones, decreasing the amount of... General sali0090 2005-11-18T11:59:38-06:00 http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sali0090/synbio/028409.html Ray Kurzweil has a hypothesis. He thinks that technological innovation is increasing so fast that, in a relatively short time, it will change humanity so completely that it is impossible to predict what human existence will be like in 20-50 years (or so). The convergence of information science, computing, biotech, and nanotech will cause a fundamental shift in the pace of technological expansion..so huge a shift that he has given it a name: the "Singularity". sali0090 2005-09-27T21:59:04-06:00 http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sali0090/synbio/025399.html Is automated DNA synthesis, transformation, selection, PCR, ligations, and imaging that far away? How would molecular biology change if a single PhD student could design and synthesize an entire plasmid or section of chromosome in a week? Besides exponentially speeding... General sali0090 2005-08-06T00:40:20-06:00 http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sali0090/synbio/024854.html Hello all, I apologize for the huge delays in posting, but I promise that it hasn't been in vain. For the past five months, I've been going back and forth between a wet and dry lab, continuing to develop new... General sali0090 2005-07-22T20:55:07-06:00 http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sali0090/synbio/015198.html I apologize for the long delay in posting. Right now, I'm finishing up a manuscript on the design of biological AND gates that activate gene expression if and only if two or more transcription factors are present. I won't mention... General sali0090 2005-02-03T21:58:22-06:00 http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sali0090/synbio/011022.html Paper #2 titled 'Accurate hybrid stochastic simulation of a coupled system chemical or biochemical reactions' is slated to be in the January 15th issue of the Journal of Chemical Physics. In short, it's a novel method improving upon the stochastic... General sali0090 2004-11-20T23:56:12-06:00 http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sali0090/synbio/008333.html I've updated the Links and Books sections to be more relevant. Be sure to check out MIT's Registry of Biological Parts. It's a great idea. I've also linked the research site of Yiannis Kaznessis, my advisor. In addition to synthetic... General sali0090 2004-10-22T20:03:35-06:00 http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sali0090/synbio/008071.html Before I begin reviewing the field of Synthetic Biology and discussing topics of interest, I just wanted to start by listing some of the questions that drive the research. Before you can find useful answers, you must always ask good... General sali0090 2004-10-19T20:39:28-06:00 http://blog.lib.umn.edu/sali0090/synbio/006201.html Somehow you have stumbled onto this blog. That's good, I guess. First off, let me introduce myself: My name is Howard Salis and I'm a graduate student within the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science here at the U... General sali0090 2004-09-25T01:39:44-06:00