Synthetic biology PC software

[MirceaKitsune]

Although I'm still learning about synthetic biology and biohacking, I heard a few things about how DNA and cells are being programmed on computers in labs. Obviously, the typical computer user doesn't have an USB device they can plug in, script, and have a tiny form of life pop out when they press Enter... despite hearing that something similar is supposedly possible to some extent. Still, that doesn't mean there aren't interesting things programs alone can do in this domain.

 

So I was wondering what exists in regard to PC software. Are there any applications available for computers, that can be used to program cells or code your own DNA sequences? Even if just for preview purposes, and not to actually apply them on a living being. For example, can you preview how a small creature will look like if you make changes to pieces of the DNA? Of course I'm not looking for something magical here... just offering an idea of what I'm wondering about.

 

Note that I only run Linux at this day. So if I am to test such a program, it must have a Linux native version too or run on WINE. But the thread isn't just for me, so please post anything you know of at all.

[MirceaKitsune]

I guess I found a few related programs, although I haven't checked them out yet. Do post here if you know more however... and / or can better describe what they do exactly.

 

http://88proof.com/synthetic_biology/blog/archives/382

 

http://www.openhelix.com/genocad

 

http://openwetware.org/wiki/Computational_Tools

 

https://sourceforge.net/projects/synbioss/