* Photo: Martin Timmermann * It's genetic engineering meets Guns & Ammo. In the early '80s, Cornell horticulturalist John Sanford went hunting for an efficient method of inserting new DNA into plant cells to reprogram how they form and divide. With the help of engineers, he modded a store-bought Crosman air pistol, loaded it with DNA-coated particles, and fired the stuff directly through cell walls. The ammo successfully reached its target, so over the years researchers refined the gene gat into what would become the industry-standard Helios. Today, labs worldwide use the helium-powered gun for everything from shooting nano sensors into mice and flu-fighting genes into chickens to injecting potato DNA into rice, which makes the crop more insect- resistant. The process can result in some collateral tissue damage — not from the particles but from the helium blast. Just remember: The instructions clearly state it's not for human use. In other words, put that DIY Spider-Man project back on the shelf.
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