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Simple Bacteria Genetic Engineering

10 videos recommended on HN
YouTube
1 HN user recommended this tutorial1 month2023–2026 score 1
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026

HN points to it as proof that DIY genetic engineering is feasible and as an example of a rigorous hands-on biology channel.

The Thought Emporium shows how easily bacteria can be genetically modified to produce fluorescent proteins and even bioluminesce, with techniques doable at home. It links to companion videos on incubators, DNA extraction and gels.

“he makes videos about DIY genetic engineering and I have a huge amount of respect for his rigor and detail” (HN, 2023)

1 recommendations · 2 citations · Tutorials · intermediate

3 Hacker News comments

From the HN archive; up to 20 kept per video, favoring different commenters. Recommendations first.

@samplatt Apr 2026 Recommends
on HN thread Air Is Full of DNA
Not OP, but The Thought Emporium is a personal favourite. Their name belies the hands-on nature of their videos. [this video]
Hands-on DIY biology channel

Citations, criticism and jokes

@Dig1t Feb 2023 Cites it
on HN thread The Odin – DIY genetic engineering
The Thought Emporium is one of my favorite YouTubers, he makes videos about DIY genetic engineering and I have a huge amount of respect for his rigor and detail. In one of his videos he talks about sourcing lab supplies and he listed The Odin as the one place you should "avoid at all costs". "Not a single kit they sent me worked", was pretty damning. He lists all the reasons he doesn't like using them including the fact that they have sent him totally wrong supplies, and overcharge for most of their stuff. Source: [this video] He lists better alternatives that are both cheaper and more reliable.
Cited as source for criticism of a lab supplier
@Bjartr Jun 2024 Cites it
on HN thread Why Nothing Can Grow on Mars
You can do genetic engineering in your kitchen these days. It wouldn't be easy to build a mars-worthy microbe, but it's not other people that's going to stop you. [this video]
Shows home genetic engineering is feasible

Video list and Hacker News comment labels from HackerTube (prompted by @karpathy), released under ODC-By 1.0, built on the open-index/hacker-news archive. Hacker News data is provided by Y Combinator; comments remain the work of their authors. Video titles, channel names and thumbnails belong to their creators and are shown via YouTube. HackerTube Watch is an unofficial edition. Data export of 2026-10-31.

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