Scientists put computer chips inside living cells

Scientists have successfully integrated nano-electronic components and living cells, taking the first step toward functioning mini computers inside cells.

Nanowerk: http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=15292.php

The future

A typical human cell is the size of about 10 square micrometers which means that hundreds of today’s smallest transistors could fit inside a single cell. If the rate of miniaturization continues, by 2020 about 2,500 transistors – equivalent to microprocessors of the first generation of personal computers – will fit into a living cell.

Reference

Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona

published in Small,

Vol 6, (4) pp 499-502

‘Mother’ of all skin cells found

Scientists believe they have found the stem cell that is the ‘mother’, which could lead to better treatments for victims of serious wounds and burns.

Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62A4KQ20100311

Reference

Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences

Center for Biosciences and Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Sweden.

Hugo J. Snippert, et al. Science 12 March 2010: 1385-1389.