Scientists brew tree-shaped DNA

February 11/18, 2004

Researchers from Cornell University have synthesized a new type of DNA that can be used as a nanotechnology building block.

DNA, whether biological or artificial, consists of a series of nucleotide bases attached to a sugar-phosphate backbone. DNA usually comes in straight strands; these pair up and twist to form the familiar biological double helix.

The Cornell researchers have found a way to make branched, or Y-shaped DNA, and have constructed dendrimer, or tree-shaped, DNA by connecting branched DNA.

DNA shows great promise as a nanotechnology construction tool. It is water-soluble, non-toxic and biodegradable, can be manipulated using enzymes, and segments of DNA can be programmed to connect to other segments to self-assemble structures at the scale of molecules. The Y-shaped DNA is an additional tool for this effort, according to the researchers.

The DNA could eventually be used for nanoscale construction, drug delivery and molecular sensing, according to the researchers.

Practical applications will be possible in 5 to 10 years, according to the researchers. The work appeared in the December 21, 2003 issue of Nature Materials.


Page One

Light-storing chip charted

Coincidences set up mental error

Noise boosts nanotube antennas

Web users re-visit in steps

Briefs:
All-plastic display demoed
DNA sorts nanotubes
Electricity teleportation devised
Mechanical storage goes low power
Scientists brew tree-shaped DNA
Magnets tune photonic crystal

Research Watch blog

View from the High Ground Q&A
How It Works

RSS Feeds:
News  | Blog

Ad links:
Buy an ad link


Advertisements:



Ad links: Clear History

Buy an ad link

 
Home     Archive     Resources    Feeds     Glossary
TRN Finder     Research Dir.    Events Dir.      Researchers     Bookshelf
   Contribute      Under Development     T-shirts etc.     Classifieds


© Copyright Technology Research News, LLC 2000-2010. All rights reserved.