James Smith
@jamesasmith.bsky.social
Adjunct Associate Professor @jcvi.org, Deputy Director at MBDF
Co-author of the Science mirror life paper here. In the paper we argued that the risks of mirror _life_ were very severe, but said that research into mirror _molecules_ (i.e. including proteins) has potential scientific and therapeutic applications and should continue, not be banned!
May 30, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Co-author of the Science mirror life paper here. In the paper we argued that the risks of mirror _life_ were very severe, but said that research into mirror _molecules_ (i.e. including proteins) has potential scientific and therapeutic applications and should continue, not be banned!
Coauthor of the original mirror life paper here - just wanted to say that my coauthors and I are grateful for the constructive dialogue on this topic!
March 14, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Coauthor of the original mirror life paper here - just wanted to say that my coauthors and I are grateful for the constructive dialogue on this topic!
Agree that mirror autotrophs would have an easier time (see ch 8) and that nutrient access will be a competitive disadvantage for heterotrophs. But mirror bacteria would have a major advantage too by being resistant to predators. This could tip the balance to growth > death bsky.app/profile/micr...
With today's report outlining risks on mirror life www.science.org/doi/full/10.... many have asked:
Could mirror life survive in the wild?
Yes. While mirror life in the wild could have some significant disadvantages (like finding food it can digest), they do not appear to be insurmountable: 🧵
Could mirror life survive in the wild?
Yes. While mirror life in the wild could have some significant disadvantages (like finding food it can digest), they do not appear to be insurmountable: 🧵
Confronting risks of mirror life
Broad discussion is needed to chart a path forward.
www.science.org
December 17, 2024 at 3:57 PM
Agree that mirror autotrophs would have an easier time (see ch 8) and that nutrient access will be a competitive disadvantage for heterotrophs. But mirror bacteria would have a major advantage too by being resistant to predators. This could tip the balance to growth > death bsky.app/profile/micr...
Co-author of the paper here! Infection in humans is discussed in detail in ch4 of the technical report. There are achiral nutrients (table 1.1) that a mirror bacterium could eat, or it could be engineered to eat chiral ones. Feel free to reach out with more Qs! purl.stanford.edu/cv716pj4036
Technical Report on Mirror Bacteria: Feasibility and Risks
This report describes the technical feasibility of creating mirror bacteria and the potentially serious and wide-ranging risks that they could pose to humans, other animals, plants, and the environ...
purl.stanford.edu
December 15, 2024 at 7:02 PM
Co-author of the paper here! Infection in humans is discussed in detail in ch4 of the technical report. There are achiral nutrients (table 1.1) that a mirror bacterium could eat, or it could be engineered to eat chiral ones. Feel free to reach out with more Qs! purl.stanford.edu/cv716pj4036
The content of v1 was essentially identical to v2, with only a small edit to update the title of the finalised Science article. Hope that clarifies!
December 14, 2024 at 8:47 PM
The content of v1 was essentially identical to v2, with only a small edit to update the title of the finalised Science article. Hope that clarifies!
This thread also addresses this question: bsky.app/profile/micr...
With today's report outlining risks on mirror life www.science.org/doi/full/10.... many have asked:
Could mirror life survive in the wild?
Yes. While mirror life in the wild could have some significant disadvantages (like finding food it can digest), they do not appear to be insurmountable: 🧵
Could mirror life survive in the wild?
Yes. While mirror life in the wild could have some significant disadvantages (like finding food it can digest), they do not appear to be insurmountable: 🧵
Confronting risks of mirror life
Broad discussion is needed to chart a path forward.
www.science.org
December 14, 2024 at 3:45 PM
This thread also addresses this question: bsky.app/profile/micr...
Hi Mark! Coauthor of the paper here. Some antibodies would bind, but overall antibody response would likely be impaired by upstream issues with inflammation and downstream issues with antigen presentation. See section 4.3 of the technical report: purl.stanford.edu/cv716pj4036
Technical Report on Mirror Bacteria: Feasibility and Risks
This report describes the technical feasibility of creating mirror bacteria and the potentially serious and wide-ranging risks that they could pose to humans, other animals, plants, and the environ...
purl.stanford.edu
December 14, 2024 at 3:33 PM
Hi Mark! Coauthor of the paper here. Some antibodies would bind, but overall antibody response would likely be impaired by upstream issues with inflammation and downstream issues with antigen presentation. See section 4.3 of the technical report: purl.stanford.edu/cv716pj4036
Co-author of the Science paper here! Seems likely it could survive. Check out chapter 8 of the technical report for discussion of ecological aspects, Ch 4 & 6 for survival in humans & animal, and Ch 7 for plants: purl.stanford.edu/cv716pj4036. Feel free to reach out if you have remaining questions
Technical Report on Mirror Bacteria: Feasibility and Risks
This report describes the technical feasibility of creating mirror bacteria and the potentially serious and wide-ranging risks that they could pose to humans, other animals, plants, and the environ...
purl.stanford.edu
December 14, 2024 at 3:18 PM
Co-author of the Science paper here! Seems likely it could survive. Check out chapter 8 of the technical report for discussion of ecological aspects, Ch 4 & 6 for survival in humans & animal, and Ch 7 for plants: purl.stanford.edu/cv716pj4036. Feel free to reach out if you have remaining questions