DNA robot could kill cancer cells

DNA origami, a technique for making structures from DNA, may be more than just a cool design concept. It can also be used to build devices that can seek out and destroy living cells.

The nanorobots, as the researchers call them, use a similar system to cells in the immune system to engage with receptors on the outside of cells.

Because the nanorobots can be programmed to release their payload only when the target cell is in the correct disease state, they achieve a specificity that other drug-delivery methods lack, says Hao Yan, a chemist and nanotechnologist at Arizona State University in Tempe. “This really takes advantage of the programmability of DNA nanotechnology.”

Whether or not these structures will work in a living organism remains to be seen. For one thing, they are designed to communicate with molecules on a cell’s surface. “If your therapeutic target is inside the cell, it’s going to be tricky,” says Bachelet.

What’s more, the nanorobots are quickly cleared by the liver or destroyed by nucleases, enzymes chew up stray bits of DNA. It might be possible to coat them with a substance such as polyethylene glycol, widely used to boost the length of time a drug can remain in the body, says Douglas, or “maybe to borrow inspiration from other biomolecules or cells” — such as red blood cells — “that can circulate in the blood for a long time”. He and his colleagues are just beginning to think about testing the nanobots in mice, he says. 

“If these sorts of problems can be solved, then the nanorobots have a chance at becoming real therapeutics,” Rothemund says.

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  9. longevity412 reblogged this from thequantumlife and added:
    Beautiful We need...research! I’d personally want
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    DNA robot could kill cancer cells DNA origami, a technique for making structures from DNA, may be more than just a cool...
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  13. fuckyeahtopher reblogged this from thistimeimking and added:
    I’ve heard of similar “nanobots” designed to target and destroy HIV. Neat stuff.
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  20. letmydreamsconsumeme reblogged this from fob-5 and added:
    Wait but like I’m supposed to cure cancer. This is awesome though!
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