Simple Steps Turn DNA Into Cancer-Grabbing Nanowires
Hong Liang, of Texas A&M University (TAMU), describes the process as “simple”, yet it could one day help scientists create tiny computers and detect cancers deep inside the body.
Using DNA, the metal cadmium and low-intensity UV light, TAMU researchers have been constructing metal-coated nanowires which are small enough to be injected into the human bloodstream.
Because the nanowires are coated with a metal that conducts electricity and maintains its properties for three months, they remain visible on x-rays or other non-invasive diagnostic scans after being injected into a patient’s bloodstream. Theoretically, these nanowires would cluster in tumors and other damaged areas of the body making them easier to spot.
Building nanowires with the new method is relatively inexpensive because the process is conducted at room temperature, under normal air pressure, and produces no toxic chemicals so no elaborate set-up is required. As Liang explained,
“The process is very simple stuff. Basically you put the solution and DNA into a beaker, stir it around, and expose it to light.”
Dr Hong Liang
Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, TAMU
By controlling the solution’s concentration and the length of the DNA, the scientists produced nanowires of varying lengths and thickness. Since DNA naturally forms long chains, this project focused on constructing nanowires, but the process can be adapted to construct other shapes and structures as well.
In addition to its potential medical applications, TAMU’s technique may hold value for creating devices such as tiny computers, electrical circuits or semiconductors.
If you’d like to learn more about the new DNA-based nanowires, the team’s work is published in the January 28, 2008, issue of Advanced Materials.
Source: Discovery Channel
Related Links: TopNews.in
Related Podcast: Nanomedicine for Treating Organ Failure from nanoHUB.org
Technorati Tags: College Station, TX; nanotechnology; NSF grants; radiology; oncology; cancer diagnostics; nanomedicine; nanoscience
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