DNA Origami

FleaPlus writes "Caltech scientist Paul Rothemund has developed a new technique for designing and generating self-assembling 2D nanostructures out of DNA. To demonstrate the technique, which is reportedly simple enough that a high-schooler can design with it, Rothemund created patterns like smiley faces, text, and a map of the Americas. The technique might be useful for generating 'nanobreadboard' scaffolds for things like molecular-scale circuitry, protein-based factories, and quantum computers. Rothemund is currently working to extend the technique to 3D nanostructures."

Comments

Organic compounds

[JonathanR]

I might sound like a Luddite, but I would have thought that the earth was already sufficiently littered with waste organic compounds.

Wait till the FDA or whoever declares DNA smileys to be a suspected carcinogen. Who'll be smiling then?