DNA springs mechanically control an enzymatic reactions by exerting force on specific parts of the enzyme molecule.
Scientists have succeeded in coordinating the movements of the biped’s legs so that it can walk in one direction along a DNA track without the need of intervention at each step.
A group of German scientists have developed a new slant on DNA nanotechnology by using atomic force microscopy to assemble a DNA scaffold on a surface to which molecular building blocks can then bind.
Individual DNA molecules can also be manipulated by optical tweezers and microfabricated structures.
Snowbird, Utah is the place to be for nanotechnologists on April 22-25 for the 5th Annual Conference on Foundations of Nanoscience (FNANO08): Self-Assembled Architectures and Devices. Those of you who have attended Foresight research conferences will recognize a number of familiar names and lots of new ones. Mark Sims of Nanorex tells us that they… Continue reading Do-it-yourself nanotechnology objects from DNA
Tetrahedrons made from DNA that extend and shorten in response to added short strands of DNA may provide new nanotech methods of drug delivery, but may present even more exciting possibilities for atomically precise functional nanosystems.
Nanowerk brings to our attention some confusion on an IEEE blog: Somewhere along the line, the advocates for molecular nanotechnology (MNT) seem to have lost interest in actually seeing molecular manufacturing come to pass if it meant that the concepts of the mechanically engineered approach (Dry) are abandoned in favor of a biologically engineered method… Continue reading Nanotechnology: Enough with the wet/dry debate already
The idea of a nanotech-based matter compiler began in the U.S., and we do some relevant computer modeling studies, but the U.K is pulling ahead toward actually building one. Twenty to thirty lucky researchers will gather on January 8-12, 2007, to brainstorm how to do this, after which the U.K. government will spend about US$… Continue reading UK pulling ahead on nanotechnology matter compiler
Liveblogging the Foresight Conference: Apologies for not blogging yesterday’s afternoon session, including the “Controversies in Nanotechnology” talk (by me), the IP talk by Stanford prof Mark Lemley, the IP panel (I was moderating), and the Public Equity panel — featuring the colorful Michael Weiner of Biophan, who advised against taking investment funds from VCs. This… Continue reading Rigid addressable nanoscaffolds & single-stranded DNA origami
Steve Clark writes of a new DNA nanotechnology diagnostic method: "Bio-bar-Code Amplification (BCA) is a new diagnostic method that now rivals PCR. BCA can also scan a sample for many different disease targets simultaneously. This new technology, based on gold nanoparticles and DNA, is easier to use, faster, more accurate, and less expensive, making it a leading candidate in point-of-care diagnostics. The Northwestern University team demonstrated it can detect as few as 10 DNA molecules in a matter of minutes, and believes it can be commercially available for certain diseases in one year. Additional info can be found on the Press Release."
