abygaylewDESMA9

 Nanotechnology & Art Prior to this week’s content, I had no idea what nanotechnology was, let alone how nanotechnology can be used in the artistic world. “Scientists have tried to explain this disparity by comparing the nanometer to the thickness of a human hair: the average thickness of a human hair is —5 x 10-5m, which is (50,000) nm. Or, the little fingernail: around 1 cm across, which is equal to ten million nanometers.” (Gimzewski & Vesna 6) Nanotechnology, in the scientific context, is described as a science concerned with controlling and manipulating atom/molecule scale matter or the nanoscale . Dr. Jim Gimzewski’s (a nanoscientist at the California Nanoscience Institution), describes nanotechnology in his lecture as a new form of technology that could change the world. Nanotechnology is a term typically used to refer to something very tiny, although its scientific impact would eventually affect many, if not all, aspects of our everyday lives. “Nanoscience + Engine...

 Advanced Light Microscopy I attended the Advanced Light Microscopy Symposium in the CNSI (California NanoSystems Institute)  Scott E Fraser, Provost Professor of Biological Sciences & Biomedical Engineering at USC, delivered a lecture about his research about methods and uses for advanced light microscopy.  Traditional light microscopy uses a combination of lenses and light sources to create magnified images of biological samples that would otherwise be impossible to see with the human eye. Fraser mentions the various limitations of traditional light microscopy within his diagram of the “pyramid of frustration”, where he states the limitations imagers are stuck within.  Traditional light microscopy is limited in its efficiency due to its resolution restrictions. These resolution limitations are often referred to as the diffraction barrier, leaving many smaller biological samples unable to be seen.  Fraser then introduces the solution to these limitations, “...

 Ethical Bioengineering This week’s material has changed my perspective on certain ethical considerations in biology. After learning about bioengineering projects and their artistic implications, I began to question how invasive these experiments can become and remain ethical. Many bio-artists have tested this consideration and have different perspectives on what is considered life, what is considered property, and what experiments are considered art. “These artistic efforts include the identification of basic components of life and reproduction, exploration of entities that straddle boundaries, and the consideration whether animals or body parts, such as genes, should count as property” (Levy 2)’ Eduardo Kac, a famous bio-artist whose work involves genetically engineered organisms, performed alongside geneticists to create a “glowing” species. By inserting fluorescent genes into different organisms, causing them to have an internal luminescence, he inspired other bioengineers and ...