Andrew Hessel: Difference between revisions
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I advocate the use of open source for programming DNA, since the free exchange of ideas maximizes innovation, and because transparency allows for wide oversight. In software development, open source has also led to robust code, highly skilled developer communities, and non-monopolistic pricing -- in other words, good things for end users. If the same results can be achieved in biological engineering, open source biology could potentially create a more diversified and sustainable biotechnology industry. These ideas are explored in ''[http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/opensources2/toc.html Open Sources 2.0]'', which is published by O'Reilly and is, paradoxically, not open source. I'll send you a PDF if you ask for one. | I advocate the use of open source for programming DNA, since the free exchange of ideas maximizes innovation, and because transparency allows for wide oversight. In software development, open source has also led to robust code, highly skilled developer communities, and non-monopolistic pricing -- in other words, good things for end users. If the same results can be achieved in biological engineering, open source biology could potentially create a more diversified and sustainable biotechnology industry. These ideas are explored in ''[http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/opensources2/toc.html Open Sources 2.0]'', which is published by O'Reilly and is, paradoxically, not open source. I'll send you a PDF if you ask for one. | ||
If you enjoy thinking about how operating systems, programs, and data "live and die" as 1's and 0's a computer hard drive, I would love to have a long discussion with you over a beer -- and convince you to get a job in genetics if you don't already have one. | If you enjoy thinking about how operating systems, programs, and data "live and die" as 1's and 0's on a computer hard drive, I would love to have a long discussion with you over a beer -- and convince you to get a job in genetics if you don't already have one. | ||
== Background == | == Background == | ||
Revision as of 19:02, 25 March 2008
Andrew Hessel, September 2007, Nevada
hi-res photo of me
About
I work to promote synthetic biology, open source biology, and the international Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) program. To my mind, DNA is a programming language for processors we call cells. Synthetic biology allows true (forward) engineering of biology, with outputs that range from single proteins, to new metabolic pathways, to synthetic cells or organisms. Since the designs are created by humans, one might think of this as memetic (idea-based) engineering/evolution. These are powerful technologies with far-reaching economic, social, ethical, and legal implications.
I advocate the use of open source for programming DNA, since the free exchange of ideas maximizes innovation, and because transparency allows for wide oversight. In software development, open source has also led to robust code, highly skilled developer communities, and non-monopolistic pricing -- in other words, good things for end users. If the same results can be achieved in biological engineering, open source biology could potentially create a more diversified and sustainable biotechnology industry. These ideas are explored in Open Sources 2.0, which is published by O'Reilly and is, paradoxically, not open source. I'll send you a PDF if you ask for one.
If you enjoy thinking about how operating systems, programs, and data "live and die" as 1's and 0's on a computer hard drive, I would love to have a long discussion with you over a beer -- and convince you to get a job in genetics if you don't already have one.
Background
I received my MSc. in bacterial genomics from the University of Calgary in 1995. I joined the Amgen Institute, a 120 person research facility located in Toronto, Canada, as a bioinformaticist and manager. Working as a bridge between the Institute, Amgen Canada, and Amgen Inc. (Thousand Oaks, CA), I facilitated dozens of advanced research projects involving microarrays, genetic sequence analysis, and data mining. Today, the Institute, no longer affiliated with Amgen, is known as the Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research. In 2002, I co-founded of Miikana Therapeutics and helped create the virtual business model they successfully used. I left after the company began operations to focus on advanced biotechnologies. Miikana was sold to Entremed in December, 2005 for $21 million plus milestones.
Since 2003, I have worked to raise awareness about synthetic biology and open source biology. As part of this effort, I am now founding an open source biotechnology company that will make individually personalized cancer therapeutics -- more on this soon. While I generally work in Canada, I travel widely and am happy to speak on these subjects anywhere, schedule permitting.
My efforts have been supported by the University of Oklahoma, the University of Toronto, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and most recently by the Alberta Ingenuity Fund.
Contact Information
hi-res photo
email: ahessel (at) gmail (dot) com
phone: 780.868.3169
Skype: search for "Andrew Hessel", ahessel (at) gmail (dot) com
Don't be shy about contacting me -- I'm open. I live on email and keep strange hours.
Letter post:
Andrew Hessel
c/o Alberta Ingenuity
Suite 2410, Manulife Place
10180 - 101 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T5J 3S4
2008
TEC Edmonton, Open Source Therapeutics, March 19, 2008
Overview of iGEM program, Edmonton Catholic School Board, March 18, 2008
Open Source Therapeutics. UofA Digital Biology Meeting, March 17, 2008
Synbio Debate w/ Jim Thomas, ETC group; open source therapeutics scibarcamp, Toronto, May 14-16, 2008
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), Overview of Synthetic Biology, February 2008.
2007 Talks and Posters
iGEM and Synthetic Biology: Opportunities for Canada, University of Ottawa, November 23, 2007 audio by request
SemBioSys Biotechnologies, Calgary, Alberta, October 26, 2007
Synthetic Biology, Risks, Rewards, and Opportunities, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, October 23 audio by request
Synthetic Viruses Targeting Cancer, SENS 3, Cambridge UK, September 7Video
Overview of synthetic biology, University of Lethbridge, July 19
University of Alberta Department Chairs and Divisional Directors Meeting, July 4
SB3.0 Poster -- iGEM: A case study for open source biological engineering
MIT TTT Canada overview May 26 Video
Digital Genetic Engineering, Google, May 3 Video
Alberta Ingenuity, January 17/18
