I've always had a few ideas on different research I wanted to conduct and until now I've been waiting till I get my own lab space. Well that was until a few weeks ago when I found myself was reading an article on biohacking and the biopunk movement. After spending the last few years using expensive reagents and equipment, I was surprised to learn what some biopunks were achieving at home. Combine my new found inspiration with a kid who loves genetics and has a insatiable curiosity that lead him to take many things apart only to reassemble them I instantly wanted to join.
My new found interest had me ordering the book Biopunk: Kitchen-Counter Scientists Hack the Software of Life, thankfully it came after finals. After reading a few chapters I became acquainted with some names in the movement specifically Meredith L. Patterson. She's an at home scientist who blogs about her effort to engineer a bacteria that would sense if melamine had been added to milk. After reading her post for biohacking I learned about some other players in the biopunk world Josh Perfetto and Tito Jankowski who have created an open source PCR machine that is portable and relatively cheaper than models currently on the market. After reading this was possible, I wanted to do the same.
After a few hours of reading their site I realized that none of the files were online yet! So I did a quick google search stumbling upon Cathal Garvey and James Peyer two another biohackers who are building PCR machines. Cathal started to build his own PCR machine but stopped after hearing about Josh and Tito's OpenPCR. James's PCR machine seems to have a neat design but other than the pics I can't find anymore information (aka schematics). He does have a video where he talks about the design. So where does this leave me?
Buying a PCR maching off ebay to start with.
The PowerBlock System. The company, Ericomp went under in 2000, probably not a good sign. There is however a repair available kinda pricey but I'll keep it in mind. I'll probably find myself bombarding them with questions but it's all a learning experience right? The PCR machine cost me $55 with shipping, I sent the seller an offer originally it was listed at $100. Although the seller said it turned on they have not actually done extensive testing. I'm thinking that it probably does not work that well (it was kinda cheap) but that's ok. I plan to use it for parts or just remove the non working components and use it as a learning experience.
My design like Josh, Tito and Cathal will include an arduino board which will allow me to program and hook the machine up to my computer. So honestly there won't be much of the machine left when I'm done redesigning it. I definitely can't wait till it comes in the mail until then.
Buying a PCR maching off ebay to start with.
The PowerBlock System. The company, Ericomp went under in 2000, probably not a good sign. There is however a repair available kinda pricey but I'll keep it in mind. I'll probably find myself bombarding them with questions but it's all a learning experience right? The PCR machine cost me $55 with shipping, I sent the seller an offer originally it was listed at $100. Although the seller said it turned on they have not actually done extensive testing. I'm thinking that it probably does not work that well (it was kinda cheap) but that's ok. I plan to use it for parts or just remove the non working components and use it as a learning experience.
My design like Josh, Tito and Cathal will include an arduino board which will allow me to program and hook the machine up to my computer. So honestly there won't be much of the machine left when I'm done redesigning it. I definitely can't wait till it comes in the mail until then.
Cheers!
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