Engineering On The Edge

Nanotechnology is an exciting developing field with plenty of potential applications (nevermind the grey goo scenario). Scientists have been attempting to use DNA as a programmable medium for constructing nanodevices, without much success. Now, researchers at the Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM) claim to have made two key breakthroughs that might make DNA constructed nanotech a reality.

The first breakthrough is a proof that the theory of programming DNA to react in specific patterns to produce a design was actually achievable. The team at TUM was able to build a nanostructure with DNA assistance and, more importantly, confirm the results with testing.

Enlarged and 3D printed DNA nanostructure. Courtesy of TUM.

The other breakthrough directly impacts the length of time required to build nanostructures with DNA. What had taken a week to create was instead produced in a matter of minutes, thanks to providing a constant temperature for the procedure. Along with faster production, the stabilized temperature improved yield to nearly 100%.

“Seeing this combination of rapid folding and high yield, we have a stronger sense than ever that DNA nanotechnology could lead to a new kind of manufacturing, with a commercial, even industrial future,” said Prof. Hendrik Dietz, of TUM. “Now we don’t have to wait a week for feedback on an experimental design, and multi-step assembly processes have suddenly become so much more practical.”

Below you’ll find a video discussing the research conducted at TUM.

Source: EurekAlert