The post mentions CRISPR in the title and at several points but I can’t actually discern at what step the CRISPR gene editing would have been performed. As described, this mostly resembles a classical transgenic experiment where a plasmid with an antibiotic resistance gene is introduced (transfected) into the bacteria. This has nothing to do with CRISPR, which allows more targeted modifications of a host genome than simple plasmid transfection.

At any rate it’s a fun experiment that is performed, in similar form, in biology in French high schools. Contrary to the tone in some of the comments it’s not particularly dangerous (the bacteria can’t survive outside their agar plates), though local regulations in some countries still might forbid it from being performed at home.

Unfortunately the description is too imprecise to be sure what exactly the author did.

Some issues and general observations:

* Making plates is hard. You really need an autoclave, and a laminar flow hood is also very helpful. For a DIY approach, you need a pressure cooker and a bunsen burner (in a relatively still room, the bunsen burner creates a radius of sterile space around it. Yes, this is legitimate lab technique, if a bit old-school). Those plates were clearly contaminated, and without proper sterile technique, nothing whatsoever is going to work. The kit's instructions, in my view, are unlikely to produce sterile plates. They provide sterilized agar, but need to be poured in a sterile area, but make no provision for this.

* The instructions for the kit are just barely sufficient. There are a million different ways you can do things incorrectly, so very clear and thorough steps are needed for a novice to have a chance at success. A lot of troubleshooting material should be included as well. This is a setup for failure in my view. For instance, an un-inoculated control plate is a bare minimum control. For a HN-friendly analogy, it would be like debugging software without any error reporting, print statements, etc.

* Lab equipment is mostly fridges, water baths, plastic disposables, and moderately specialized stuff like tabletop centrifuges and thermocyclers. It seems relatively accessible, which gets people excited about DIY microbiology, but it's deceptive. Temperatures, and the stability of temperatures, can matter a lot. Reliable equipment is very important. Someone seriously looking to do this (it's certainly possible!) needs to be able to devote a fair amount of space and resources to their home lab.

* The #1 difference between a 'real' lab and a home lab is access to troubleshooting resources. Shit goes wrong all the time, and experienced post-docs, lab techs, colleagues, etc. are what make research possible. You also very often need access to quality materials for positive and negative controls. It's not uncommon for entire labs to grind to a halt for weeks or months until some tricky bit of troubleshooting is resolved.

Some people are commenting that this isn't 'CRISPR'. It is. The transformation provides a plasmid that will not convey resistance on it's own (unless they're being dishonest about what's in the kit). Only when a stable transformation of the genome occurs will resistance be seen.

What worried me most about those pictures is that there is a can in that fridge that says 'breakfast pizza'. Is that a real thing or is this very subtle trolling?

Intro contains two of the greatest lines ever blogged:

>Grow some bacteria

>Take some bacteria and make it competent

I wonder if anyone has genetically modified microorganisms to synthesize illegal drugs. Seem like if this happens, the DEA is going to have a really rough time.

is he risking his family, and possibly neighbors, with this setup in his bathroom?

asking with genuine concern - i have no idea how contagious e-coli would be and what its medium of spreading is.

"The e-coli experiment you can buy is an attempt to create bacteria that can survive on an anti-bacterial plate of agar."

That's exactly what we need!

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This is so hacky compared to working in a well-equipped lab. Not having analysis instruments also limits how much can be accomplished.

>Attempting to modify e-coli with CRISPR in my bathroom

This either sounds like the third sentence uttered in a 911 call, The FBI justification for a lifetime supermax incarceration, or the cause of death and mortality summary on a medical report.

Hmm, am I the only one concerned here? This technology should be strongly regulated. I don't want some "biohacker" accidentally creating AB resistent bacteria in their back garden...

Would somebody explain if that actually makes (sort of) sense or it's pure trolling?