Glow-in-the-dark mice, gene-modded weed and payment microchips in your hand? That's the surprisingly realistic science backdrop of Biohackers, but that's where it stays. 

Biohackers, the six-episode German sci-fi series set in Freiburg, was released on Aug 20th. Biohacking is an umbrella term comprising synthetic biology, DIY science, bodyhacking, and health optimization. 
Looking back, the expensive genetic engineering experiments that could only be carried out behind the walls of big institutions can now be done on a kitchen table with ingredients bought on eBay. Synthetic biology brought the alchemizing tools of life into the hands of everyone. 
The timely premise is, therefore, 'the creature becomes the creator'. More science thriller than science fiction, the show's unconventional conspiracy plot delivers slow-building suspense until its cliffhanger ending.  ​

Space colonization, resurrection of ancient species (read dinosaurs) and mind-boggling machine intelligences, the most awe-inspiring visions of humanity's future are typically born from science fiction: that magical blend of captivating, often non-human heroes and the wild strangeness of a new world. Seemingly foreign, yet, all too familiar.

Science needs science fiction to inspire the next generation of scientists, especially as we've entered the century of biotech (I may be biased on that). Yet biotech remains underrepresented in the genre among an abundance of time travel, superheroes, space adventures and so forth, (which are great, too!). Hence, this selection highlights some outstanding works (new and not so new) I’ve recently enjoyed reading to fill in the gap for biotech aficionados.