Bottom Up Nanoassembly; For the First time Researchers create three-dimensional structures using DNA-directed assembly 08-036

MIT Technology Review reports that for the first time in history, researchers have managed to create three-dimensional structures using DNA-directed assembly, realizing the promise and proof-of-concept of building novel materials from the bottom up--atom-by-atom...one of the holy grails of nanotechnology...and about 5-10 years before most technology futurists predicted that this would happen.

...Likely to be voted as one of the top science breakthroughs of 2008, unless they discover life on another planet !!

Researchers from Northwestern and Brookhaven National Laboratory report separately in the journal Nature that they have finally delivered on long-sought promise, using DNA linkers to transform nanoparticles into perfect crystals containing up to one million particles.

The startup company, NanoSphere, has used the technology to develop medical diagnostics that have gained approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

One problem needs to be addressed though:

"The structures are highly porous--10 percent particles and DNA and 90 percent water.  That could hinder applications in which water is undesirable.  Drain out the water, and the crystals collapse.  Gang says that one could stabilize the crystals by filling the lattice with a polymer, but he is also exploring alternate stabilization schemes that would preserve the lattice's open space."

I can think of a few approaches.... :-))

See full story  Researchers create three-dimensional structures using DNA-directed assembly

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