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3 Must Watch Biotech Ted-Talks



We all know TED talks are brilliants parcels of knowledge that we may use to inspire ourselves. But for some reason, we often forget about them and then find ourselves once or twice a year binge watching them. These are the top 3 talks we have watched here at Biotech10, that we believe properly encapsulate the brilliantness of biotechnology.

How CRISPR Lets Us Edit Our DNA

Jennifer Doudna, part of the team that invented the revolutionary genetic technology that is CRISPR-Cas9. The tool (CRISPR) allows for editing of DNA strands with "incredible precision" as stated by Doudna, which may be used in mind-blowing ways, such as treatments for genetic diseases. However there is ethical concern for the potential of "designer babies". In this TED talk Doudna reviews the workings of CRISPR-Cass9, as well as the potential it harnesses. She rounds off her talk with an important discussion about the ethical implications that this gene editing technology carries. 



The Medical Potential OF AI and Metabolites

Leila Pirhaji makes use of artificial intelligence in drug discovery and the treatment of metabolic diseases. Before we can use what we know about the human genome to decipher treatments for diseases, all the information gained from the genome needs to be augmented, with all the information about the metabolite activity within our bodies. These molecules such as fats, glucose and cholesterol are critical when it comes to the development of diseases such as fatty liver disease. By using AI, Pirahji has been able to analyze the copious amounts of data that is required for a precise understanding of the patterns for each type of metabolite, that connects to underlying diseases. This allows for better, more successful treatments. In her talk, Pirhaji discusses the progress that has been made in this sector.




How Supercharged Plants Could Slow Climate Change

Joanne Chory - regarded as one of the greatest scientific innovators in present day science - studies the genetic codes of plants. The driving force behind these studies is her passion to use plants to help fight climate change. It makes sense. Plants and trees are our natural allies when it comes to fighting climate change, because the process of photosynthesis takes in CO2 while releasing oxygen as it stores carbon in the root system and soil. The answer to using plants to help fight the war against climate change is just to have more plants, but there is one issue. Space.  Due to finite space on our earth we struggle to make use of the land currently used or needed in the future for agricultural purposes, without creating a food shortage for the ever expanding population. In this talk Chory describes the work that her and her team at Salk Institute's Harnessing Plants Initiative (HPI) are carrying out. They are using genetic and genomic techniques to increase the carbon storage capacity of root systems by helping plants grow larger, more robust root systems. 





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