Light-Activated Yeast creates Proteins on Demand

November 9, 2011 1:07 PM

You could call it "computer-controlled cyborg yeast," but in reality, scientists have figured out an aspect of cell signaling in the yeast species Saccharomyces cerevisiae, allowing computer-controlled lights to initiate protein creation feedback loops (abstract).
posted by filthy light thief (14 comments total)

Hey, Joe! We need more insulin! Turn on the blue light!

(And then someone takes a picture with a flash, and the vat of yeast develops sapience and takes over the world...)
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 1:09 PM on November 9, 2011

Light-Activated Yeast creates Proteins on Demand
posted by filthy light thief

Eponystericalithink
posted by Kabanos at 2:11 PM on November 9, 2011

Great, now all the good bakeries are inside discos.
posted by The Whelk at 2:22 PM on November 9, 2011 [2 favorites]

You're saying that like it's not awesome.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 2:40 PM on November 9, 2011

I'd go to a disco bakery.
posted by oddman at 2:56 PM on November 9, 2011

How will this improve beer?
posted by bdc34 at 3:15 PM on November 9, 2011 [2 favorites]

challah back.
posted by The Whelk at 3:22 PM on November 9, 2011 [1 favorite]

(And then someone takes a picture with a flash, and the vat of yeast develops sapience and takes over the world...)

Like this? When the Yogurt Took Over: A Short Story (by MeFi's own jscalzi).
posted by fings at 3:44 PM on November 9, 2011

something something yeasty overlords?
posted by BlueHorse at 4:04 PM on November 9, 2011

I'd go to a disco bakery.

They both involve being covered in white powder at 4am. The rest is just details.
posted by condour75 at 5:06 PM on November 9, 2011 [4 favorites]

Fortunately my man bdc34 is keeping his eye on the ball.

I wonder what organisms they can cause to do this thing?
posted by skbw at 6:55 PM on November 9, 2011

Toast-suo: The Iron Bread.
posted by Strange Interlude at 6:55 PM on November 9, 2011

Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 7:35 PM on November 9, 2011 [1 favorite]

It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until the protiens have been synthesized.
posted by XMLicious at 8:05 PM on November 9, 2011