TED Talks Daily What happens when biology becomes technology? | Christina Agapakis
Jul 13, 2020
Christina Agapakis, a biological designer, dives into the fascinating world where biology meets technology. She explores the boundaries of synthetic biology, revealing how we can program living organisms much like computers. Agapakis challenges our perceptions of nature versus technology and discusses the ethical implications of these advancements. Through personal stories and artistic projects, she prompts us to reconsider how human values shape scientific progress and envision a more sustainable future.
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The Briefcase of Turds
- Christina Agapakis's encounter with a briefcase of multicolored turds at iGEM sparked her interest in synthetic biology.
- The engineered E. coli bacteria produced different colors in response to environmental stimuli, demonstrating the potential of biology as technology.
Synthetic Biology's Potential
- Synthetic biology blurs the lines between natural and artificial, engineering living things for technological purposes.
- iGEM students showcase creative applications like bacteria playing Sudoku and self-healing concrete.
From Academia to Industry
- Agapakis transitioned from academia to the creative director role at Ginkgo Bioworks.
- This shift reflects her realization that engineering is not just about equations but also about people and their interaction with technology.
