Some researchers in China have found a cool way to use the E.coli bacteria to store data. The data can even be encrypted using site-specific genetic recombination. It turns out that bacteria can store lots of data too. A bacteria colony of only 18-cells was able to store the amount of data that the Declaration of Independence would need.

Scaled up, a 1g sample of the bacteria would be able to store 90GB of data. The downside to the tech is that the researchers fear the bacteria would mutate and possibly delete data and retrieving the data requires a sequencer and is expensive. I wonder if you would have to feed your computer if this ever goes mainstream.

What’s especially cool about these soaps is that some of the more gnarly strains actually glow in the dark. These handmade soaps are available in a variety of “infected” flavors, including E. Coli, H. influenzae, Serratia marcescens and Salmonella. Yummy. Nothing like getting clean by lathering up with germs!

If you’re ready to turn your bathroom into a science experiment, you can find a full assortment of petri dish soaps over at Cleaner Science’s shop at the Makers Market.

It took Bacteria about 4 months to complete this mod, but it does look like it was worth the effort. The iNto64 has built-in speakers, a 5-inch LCD screen and about 3 hours of playtime. There’s even rumble capability and a multi-function port, which Bacteria plug in an A/V cable and adjust the screen’s contrast and brightness, as well as the volume.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

All in all, this is a pretty sweet setup. If you like it, you can try your own hand at creating this compact console since Bacteria has provided step-by-step instructions on how to proceed. Good luck with all that.

[via DVice]

The toys above are just four of the 65 available microbe models that Giantmicrobes are selling. Nerds, all together now! From left to right, we have Syphilis (Treponema pallidum), Stomachache (shigella), E.coli (Escherichia coli) and Athlete’s Foot (Trichophyton mentagrophytes)! Yaaaay! Did everyone get it right? Good job! Now go away.

Giant microbes come in three sizes: Original (5″-7″) that sells for $7.95 (USD), Gigantic (15″-20″) for $24.95 and mini packs of three for $12.95.

[via ForeverGeek]

The Zapi uses ultraviolet light to clean your toothbrush “in minutes”. Let’s hope that’s not more than 5 minutes. Since we can’t see the actual cleaning process, Zapi bobs enthusiastically as proof of the intense 99.9% cleaning action going on inside. It has a removable drip cup so you can easily clean it. So what cleans your teeth? Your toothbrush. What cleans your toothbrush? Zapi. Who cleans Zapi? You. Someone invent a Zapi Zanitizer.

The VioLight Zapi toothbrush sanitizer sells for $30 USD at Amazon. As you can see it comes in 4 colors, and includes a free matching toothbrush. It runs on three AAA batteries, not included.

[via 7Gadgets]