This past week a patent was granted to Nanogen for a "Multiplexed Active Biologic Array", for testing DNA/RNA, which is the combination of bio-molecular tech with chip tech that they're calling the 'NanoChip 400'. In sum, Molecular genetic testing on a chip. While last years focus may have been nanoscale carbon or nanotubes, what about the 21st century dream of creating real nanobots? Well, biology already has moving parts down pat, why not combine the two? Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have figured out how to use microbes as forms for nanostructures, hinting at the ability of a vast microbe soup-vat as a sort of nanofoundry. Perhaps the slime covered killbot emerging from a dramatically lit tub seen in so much sci-fi is now slightly less fantastic, but still completely fictional, although the military probably hopes not. The microbe-nano-templatizing, or microbe worker scenario really blurs the line between molecular and genetic engineering and nanotech. This raises old questions of what is the definition of artificial, vesicle bioreators could be seen as simply biology grown with a specific purpose or function in mind. If researchers from New York University can build an imitation of the ribosome, creating a programmable nanomachine which can weld DNA, then any piece of meat could be designed to not only be tastier but also do your taxes. Or less dystopian and gruesome, eventually organic solar cells could be grown on everything around us, creating self-powered appliances; your cellphone acts like a begonia, you should let it get some light.