Science copies how squid change colour

The gene which gives squids the ability to change colour and camouflage themselves has attracted the attention of geneticists at Cambridge University working in the new science of synthetic biology.

They have used standardised DNA sequences known as Bio-Bricks to recreate the gene so that future biologically engineered organisms could be given the same ability to change colour.

Horizon: Playing God investigates the new science of synthetic biology on BBC Two at 21:30 GMT on Tuesday 17 January. Watch online (UK only) or see more clips at the above link.