Biohacking at Home: Pragmatic DNA Design, Assembly, & Transformation
Synthetic biology researcher Keoni Gandall demonstrates designing, assembling, and transforming synthetic DNA in a home laboratory setting.
Summary
Democratizing Synthetic Biology and Genetic Engineering
Advances in molecular biology tools allow independent researchers and hobbyists to design and express novel genetic constructs outside institutional laboratories.
Pragmatic Workflows for DNA Design and Assembly
Keoni Gandall explains using open-source plasmid design software and Golden Gate assembly protocols to assemble genetic components into functional plasmids.
Executing Bacterial Transformation in Homelabs
Gandall demonstrates preparing competent E. coli cells, heat-shock transformation, and plate selection using antibiotic markers.
Laboratory Safety and Biosecurity Best Practices
The author provides guidelines on maintaining sterile technique, biosafety level 1 protocols, and ethical stewardship in community biology spaces.
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