Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Microscopy Techniques

Overview of Microscopy Techniques

The early pioneers of microscopy opened a window into the invisible world of microorganisms. In 1830, Joseph Jackson Lister created an essentially modern light microscope. The 20th century saw the development of microscopes that leveraged nonvisible light, such as fluorescence microscopy that uses an ultraviolet light source and electron microscopy that uses short-wavelength electron beams. These advances significantly improved magnification, image resolution, and contrast. By comparison, the...

Synthetic Biology

Synthetic Biology

Synthetic biology is an interdisciplinary science that involves using principles from disciplines such as engineering, molecular biology, cell biology, and systems biology. It involves remodeling existing organisms from nature or constructing completely new synthetic organisms for applications such as protein or enzyme production, bioremediation, value-added macromolecule production, and the addition of desirable traits to crops, to name a few.
Golden rice
Golden rice is a genetically modified...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

DNA Cut-Ligation Cyclization Surpasses Jacobson-Stockmayer J-Factor Expectations by over Threefold.

Biomolecules·2026

Same author

Probing the limits of genetic recoding using multi-omics-guided evolution.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

Derivation of elephant induced pluripotent stem cells.

Nature methods·2026

Same author

Programmable Nucleic Acid Sensing in Human Cells Using Circularizable ssDNA.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

Synthetic circuits for cell ratio control.

Nature·2026

Same author

Nutrient requirements of organ-specific metastasis in breast cancer.

Nature·2026

Same journal

The Viking's 50 Year Landing Anniversary Astrobiology Special Collection: Reexamining the Revolutionary Impact of Viking on Mars Exploration.

Astrobiology·2026

Same journal

Viking's Astrobiological Legacy: A Philosophical Framework for Searching for Molecular Biosignatures.

Astrobiology·2026

Same journal

NASA Viking Mission: A Perspective of the Labeled Release Biological Experiment on Mars.

Astrobiology·2026

Same journal

Plasma and Thermal Processing Leading to Latitudinal and Temporal Variability of the Trapped O<sub>2</sub> at Europa and Ganymede.

Astrobiology·2026

Same journal

The Possible Aqueous Origins of Manganese Alteration Minerals in the Máaz Formation of Jezero Crater.

Astrobiology·2026

Same journal

Viking's Heirs: The Rise of Planetary Flyers.

Astrobiology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2025

A Protocol for Bioinspired Design: A Ground Sampler Based on Sea Urchin Jaws

A Protocol for Bioinspired Design: A Ground Sampler Based on Sea Urchin Jaws

Published on: April 24, 2016

Picogram-Scale Interstellar Probes via Bioinspired Engineering.

George Church¹

¹Wyss Institute, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

|December 8, 2022

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Tiny, nanogram-scale probes offer a cost-effective solution for interstellar exploration. These probes could land, replicate, and establish communication using biominerals, enabling ambitious deep space missions.

Keywords:

Breakthrough Starshot Interstellar probe Synthetic biology

More Related Videos

Bridging the Bio-Electronic Interface with Biofabrication

Bridging the Bio-Electronic Interface with Biofabrication

Published on: June 6, 2012

Using Synthetic Biology to Engineer Living Cells That Interface with Programmable Materials

Using Synthetic Biology to Engineer Living Cells That Interface with Programmable Materials

Published on: March 9, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 18, 2025

A Protocol for Bioinspired Design: A Ground Sampler Based on Sea Urchin Jaws

A Protocol for Bioinspired Design: A Ground Sampler Based on Sea Urchin Jaws

Published on: April 24, 2016

Bridging the Bio-Electronic Interface with Biofabrication

Bridging the Bio-Electronic Interface with Biofabrication

Published on: June 6, 2012

Using Synthetic Biology to Engineer Living Cells That Interface with Programmable Materials

Using Synthetic Biology to Engineer Living Cells That Interface with Programmable Materials

Published on: March 9, 2017

Area of Science:

Astrobiology
Space Exploration Engineering
Nanotechnology

Background:

Current interstellar probe designs are often gram-scale, limiting mission scope and increasing costs.
Exploring nearby star systems necessitates innovative approaches to probe design and deployment.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose a novel concept for interstellar exploration using picogram- to nanogram-scale probes.
To outline a potential design for these micro-probes, including their propulsion, landing, replication, and communication capabilities.

Main Methods:

Conceptual design of a highly reflective light sail for interstellar travel.
Proposal for photo-deflection maneuvers using stellar gravity wells.
Biomineral-based communication module design for destination environments.

Main Results:

A billion nanogram-scale probes could be launched at the cost of a single gram-scale probe.
Light sail propulsion enables direct trajectory towards destination stars.
Photo-deflection offers a method to reach planets or moons within a star's gravitational influence.

Conclusions:

Micro-scale probes present a viable and economical strategy for exploring exoplanets.
Biomineral-based communication modules are feasible for extraterrestrial environments.
This approach significantly advances the potential for widespread interstellar exploration.