biotechnology

Researchers at Dongguk University in Seoul have developed a magnetically controlled switch for turning on genes inside cells, as detailed in a recent Cell paper. The technique uses a specific electromagnetic signal to activate genes in mice and human cells. Critics, however, question the plausibility of the results and point to potential flaws in the study.

March 23, 2026 Reported by AI

Scientists have produced the first living synthetic bacterial cells by transplanting a synthetic genome into bacteria whose own genomes were destroyed. The team at the J. Craig Venter Institute calls these revived cells 'zombie cells'. The method addresses challenges in synthetic biology by ensuring control over the new genome.