Month: November 2003

rpiquepa writes "Before answering this question, what on earth is X-Large DNA? This news release from Stanford University says that scientists there have created a molecule of DNA wider than the ones found in living creatures in our world. They "have created an expanded molecule of DNA with a double helix wider than any found in nature. Besides being more heat resistant than natural DNA, the new version glows in the dark — a property that could prove useful in detecting genetic defects in humans." You also can read "DNA, Now in XXX-Large," from Wired News, which tells you that xDNA could be a key to find life on other planets. This summary contains more details about what is "expanded DNA," or xDNA."

S. 189, the Senate nanotech bill, has passed. It will be reconciled with the House bill in conference, but major changes are not expected. Here's a link to the text of the bill, in PDF form. Howard Lovy has comments, too.

RobertBradbury writes "Google news is reporting on 60+ articles being published by the various news media under the heading of "Scientists create a virus that reproduces." Its complete ca-ca demonstrating a complete lack of biological knowledge. In the first place a larger virus, the polio virus, has previously been synthesized (so this isn't "new" news). In the second place the bacterial virus phi X (and almost all other viruses) is not capable of self-replication (or reproduction). To be capable of self-replication in a biological system one would require the genetic code for both a DNA or RNA polymerase and a ribosome (these are necessary to copy the DNA/RNA of the genome and produce the proteins essential for viral self-replication. No known gene sequences that I'm aware of would allow those requirements to fit into the 5000 base pairs of the phi X genome (its like trying to fit a very large set of machines into a very small box). My quick estimate is that it would require hundreds of thousands perhaps millions of base pairs to produce a self-replicating virus. Viruses are normally inherently dependent upon their host bacteria or cells for reproduction (they are parasites). So the news reports are fundamentally flawed and should be taken with a very large grain of salt."

Writing in CIO Magazine on the "Promise and Peril of the 21st Century", Ray Kurzweil warns "As technology accelerates toward the full realization of genetic engineering, nanotechnology and, ultimately, robotics (collectively known as GNR), we will see the same intertwined potentials [the double-edged sword of technology]: a feast of creativity resulting from human intelligence expanded manyfold, combined with grave new dangers. We need to devise our strategies now to reap the promise while we manage the peril."

HLovy writes why much of the fear about nanotechnology results from a bad analogy: Merkle and the case of the misleading metaphor

Roland Piquepaille writes of Better Displays With New Nanowire Film: progress in applying silicon nanowires to glass and plastic, which "might lead to better and flexible displays or wearable computers".

Roland Piquepaille writes "Everybody seems concerned these days by the risks associated with the use of nanotechnologies. So I'm pleased to report that Purdue engineers have proven that metal nano-bumps could improve artificial body parts, such as hips or knees. They based their theory on a simple fact. Surface bumps on conventional alloys used in prostheses are in the micron range, while they are ten times smaller in natural bones, around 100 nanometers. They thought a reduction of the size of these bumps in the prostheses would also reduce the risk of rejection by the body. They limited their experiments to petri dishes, but showed that adherence of new body cells to their new metal alloys was dramatically better than with existing alloys. Ssveral years will pass before improved artificial hips come to market. But the needs are growing. This overview gives you more details and references."

HLovy writes with an example of how "misrepresentations, distortions and half-truths" are being used to advocate a moratorium on nanotechnology research: "Apocalypse Nano"

Benj writes "http://www.nanovip.com: a Market for already registered nanotechnology domain names.

brettl writes "In trying to read technical articles related to the field, I find that I do not have nearly enough chemistry background to keep up with many of the discussions. Is there any way to learn this without going back to school for an organic chemistry class?"