1 - Craig Venter Creating Synthetic life

http://www.ted.com/talks/craig_venter_is_on_the_verge_of_creating_synthetic_life.html

Vocabulary:

pare down
play_w2("P0016500")
(pâr)
tr.v. pared, par·ing, pares
1. To remove the outer covering or skin of with a knife or similar instrument: pare apples.
2. To remove by or as if by cutting, clipping, or shaving: pared off the excess dough.
3. To reduce as if by cutting off outer parts; trim: pare expenses from the monthly budget.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pare

knock out

1. To render unconscious.
2. Sports To defeat (a boxing opponent) by a knockout.
3. To render useless or inoperative: The storm knocked out the phones.
4. Informal To exert or exhaust (oneself or another) to the utmost: knocked herself out to be ready on time.
5. Informal To produce in abundance: The workers knocked out 500 parts in one hour.
6. To inactivate or remove (a gene) by genetic engineering.

boot

To be of help or advantage; avail.