// BEGIN editorial data
 var i = 0;
var Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527 = new Array();
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527.ID = "Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527";
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527.ID_WB = 24860161;
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527.sPubDate = "5/30/2008 5:26:21 PM GMT";
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527.navsectionID = "15879576"
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527.appFmt = 2;
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527.itemsPerPage = 1;
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527.nTeaseW = 298;
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527.nTeaseH = 298;
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527.appWidth = 600;
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527.appHeader = "<FONT SIZE=4><b>Problem-solving bacteria<br><b></FONT><br>";
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527.appNavStyle = 7;
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527.navCols = 1;
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527.bDhtml = 0;
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527.appLayout = 1;
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527.copyHeight = 500;
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527.copyWidth = 600;
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527.copyMargin = 10;
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527[i++] = new Array("","Introduction","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/ArtAndPhoto-Fronts/TECH/080529/g-080529-tec-pancakes-415p.hmedium.jpg","","Image: pancakes", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Getty Images file", "273", "390", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527[i-1].body = "<FONT SIZE=3 color=#CC0000><b>Introduction</b></FONT><br>Researchers have transformed bacterial cells into mini computers capable of solving a math puzzle called the &#147;Burnt Pancake Problem,&#148; demonstrating how living computers could be used for a wide variety of complex problem-solving applications. <P ALIGN=RIGHT><i>&#8212; Bryn Nelson</i>";

Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527[i++] = new Array("","Transforming bacteria into tiny computers","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/080529/080602-Frontiers-Bacteria-hmed-1.hmedium.jpg","","Image: Tubes of E. coli", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Courtesy of A. Malcolm Campbell/Davidson College", "273", "364", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527[i-1].body = "<FONT SIZE=3 color=#CC0000><b>Transforming bacteria into tiny computers</b></FONT><p>To transform the common lab bacteria E. coli into millions of parallel processors, researchers first had to outfit them with the right parts and constructed about 100 DNA pieces in all, each of which was frozen and stored in an individual tube for later use.";

Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527[i++] = new Array("","Solving the pancake puzzle","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/080529/080602-Frontiers-Bacteria-hmed-2.hmedium.jpg","","Image: Tubes of E. coli", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Courtesy of A. Malcolm Campbell/Davidson College", "273", "205", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527[i-1].body = "<FONT SIZE=3 color=#CC0000><b>Solving the pancake puzzle </b></FONT><p>With all the DNA parts in hand, researchers demonstrated how a bacterial system can solve a mathematical problem called the \"Burnt Pancake Problem,\" which seeks the minimum number of flips needed to order partially burnt pancakes by size, each with the burnt side facedown. In this case, pieces of DNA served as stand-ins for the pancakes.";

Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527[i++] = new Array("","Complex problem solving","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/080529/080602-Frontiers-Bacteria-hmed-3.hmedium.jpg","","Image: food container", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Courtesy of Davidson College", "273", "302", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527[i-1].body = "<FONT SIZE=3 color=#CC0000><b>Complex problem solving</b></FONT><p>Flipped \"pancakes,\" anyone? A screen grab shows the introduction to a whimsical <A HREF=\"http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/kahaynes/FAMU_talk/Living_computer.swf\" target=\"_blank\">Web tutorial</A> showing how bacteria can be converted into mini computers capable of solving the \"Burnt Pancake Problem.\" The results suggest that the system could be used for other complex problem solving, including data storage and genetic engineering. ";

Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527[i++] = new Array("","Hitting a bull's eye","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/080529/080602-Frontiers-Bacteria-hmed-4.hmedium.jpg","","Image:bacteria", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Courtesy Ron Weiss/Princeton University", "273", "272", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527[i-1].body = "<FONT SIZE=3 color=#CC0000><b>Hitting a bull's eye</b></FONT><p>Princeton University researcher Ron Weiss and colleagues similarly used bacteria for a computer-like system in which one bacterial population sent instructions to a genetically altered \"receiver\" population, dictating the color and shape of the resulting mass of bacterial growth. Among the shapes: a bull's-eye, flower and heart. ";

Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527[i++] = new Array("","Manufacturing tissues","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/080529/080602-Frontiers-Bacteria-hmed-5.hmedium.jpg","","Image: Bacteria magnification", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Courtesy Ron Weiss/Princeton University", "273", "364", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
Tech_Frontiers_PancakeProblem_080527[i-1].body = "<FONT SIZE=3 color=#CC0000><b>Manufacturing tissues</b></FONT><p>Applying the concepts of synthetic biology learned in bacterial systems, Ron Weiss and colleagues were able to coax mammalian cells into forming distinct body tissues. Some of those different tissues, marked with a green fluorescent protein, are shown above. The results suggest a future in which \"living computers\" could manufacturer tissues on demand, provided that safety concerns are addressed.";

	// END editorial data