• Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works
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    6 days ago

    I think it’s the “introduce it to the yeast” part that’s the hard part. But I can’t imagine the types of precautions the people who already have a morphine producing yeast strain (yes some people already invented it) must take. The illicit value of that is like priceless.

    • wizzor@sopuli.xyz
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      6 days ago

      As I understand the process is fairly straightforward - yeast picks up dna from the environment, so the process involves creating a dna strain which includes both the intended change and a marker change, like resistance to something that would normally kill the yeast. Then introduce the dna to the yeast and introduce the poison which will kill the yeast that didn’t pick up the dna.

      Anyway, that’s what I seem to remember from synth bio course from years ago, I might have misunderstood tho.

      • Venator@lemmy.nz
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        6 days ago

        The hard part for someone trying to do it in a bathtub would probably be making sure it picks up the dna you’re wanting and not something else randomly from the environment

        • wizzor@sopuli.xyz
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          6 days ago

          That’s why you introduce the marker (like resistance to a common antibiotic ) in the same strand, then put antibiotic in the bathtub to kill the rest. Of course its a good idea to wash the tank first…

          • P1nkman@lemmy.world
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            5 days ago

            Instructions unclear. My wife is now asking why the bathtub is full of syrup. Please send help.