We previously published a post about a model of bacterial chemotaxis in which we discussed the chemotaxis behavior in an individual E. coli, its biological function, and the mechanical forces that drive it. Using a model described by Dr. Brian Ingalls, we provided a program that would simulate bacterial chemotaxis Read more…
In our last post we discussed how two abstractions in L++ can be implemented to create highly specific and detailed descriptions of biosystems; however, before any design is implemented we should know how the final product should be assembled and how it should behave when it is complete. L++ allows Read more…
At first glance any system can look like a complicated web of components; however, it’s important to not get bogged down in every tiny detail. If you were given a recipe, you would only be required to know basic details like which ingredients to use, and how to prepare and Read more…
What we now call Biology used to be considered “magic”. Before Germ Theory, developed in the mid-nineteenth century, diseases were often associated with demons and other malicious creatures of myth. Take tuberculosis for example, the disease that gave rise to the myth of the vampire. The more we have learned Read more…
All around us, there is a world of microorganisms that is as alien in appearance as an extraterrestrial from an old sci-fi movie. E. coli is a rod-shaped bacterium that is a mere 1-2 micrometers long. Just like larger animals such as humans, it is imperative that E. coli move and respond to their Read more…
Vaccine and drug development can take several years owing to lengthy clinical trials on real humans that also frequently result in failure due to safety issues or low efficacy. In addition, development requires an astronomical amount of labor, funds, and administrative work. It is also likely that trials on humans Read more…
E. coli is an interesting bacteria with a wide range of roles. It is a tiny rod-shaped lifeform, and completely invisible to the naked eye as it is just 1-2 µM in length. Warm blooded animals including humans depend on E. coli strains that live in the large intestine and prevent harmful bacterial Read more…
Figure 1. Life & Software Parallels As we discussed in our previous blog post, Biology Becomes Programming, an important missing link to world-shaping innovations in biotechnology is a simple interface for designing life forms. With L++ we are bridging this gap by creating the first programming language for describing life forms Read more…
Imagine the hypothetical scenario in which humans found thousands of computers falling from the sky around 20,000 years ago. For the sake of discussion, imagine that the computers are self powered. In many ways, this is comparable to examining a new lifeform, as they find these silicon creatures that appear Read more…