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DNA Nanorobot Halts Growth of Cancer Cells

Posted by Soulskill on from the also-seem-to-enjoy-sousa dept.

ananyo writes "DNA origami, a technique for making structures from DNA, has been used to build devices that can seek out and potentially destroy cancer cells. The nanorobots use a similar system to cells in the immune system to engage with receptors on the outside of cells. The barrel-shaped devices, each about 35 nanometers in diameter, contain 12 sites on the inside for attaching payload molecules and two positions on the outside for attaching aptamers, short nucleotide strands with special sequences for recognizing molecules on the target cell (abstract). The aptamers act as clasps: once both have found their target, they spring open the device to release the payload. The researchers tested six combinations of aptamer locks, each of which were designed to target different types of cancer cells in culture. Those designed to hit a leukemia cell could pick that cell out of a mixture of cell types, then release their payload — in this case, an antibody — to stop the cells from growing. The researchers designed the structure of the nanorobots using open-source software, called Cadnano."

11 of 74 comments (clear)

  1. But, but, but... by nadszyszkownik · · Score: 5, Funny

    Bill Gates said open source *is* cancer.

    1. Re:But, but, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Steve Jobs said open source *causes* cancer.

      Too soon?

  2. Note marketeers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Origami has shown up twice on slashdot recently and could be a good buzzword candidate.

    1. Re:Note marketeers by camperdave · · Score: 5, Funny

      We'll handle this question in the origami cloud.

      Great! I can't wait to see what unfolds

      --
      When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
  3. Killer apps? by History's+Coming+To · · Score: 3, Insightful

    You have to wonder about the other applications of this technology - targeting specific genetic groups with a vaccine or even a weapon for example.

    --
    Please consider this account deleted, I just can't be bothered with the spam anymore.
    1. Re:Killer apps? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      You have to wonder about the other applications of this technology - targeting specific genetic groups with a vaccine or even a weapon for example.

      this is why we can't have nice things.

    2. Re:Killer apps? by ByOhTek · · Score: 3, Informative

      It is possible - yes. But it would be, by no means, a "scalpel". There will be many in the ethnic group who lack the appropriately formed receptor, and many in the other groups that have it.

      Probably more for the GP, but even so, many tools can be used for malevolent purposes, does that mean we shouldn't have them around for the good purposes? Do you think that just because someone came up with it for a benevolent purpose, if they hadn't nobody would have come up with it for a malevolent purpose later.

      --
      Self proclaimed typo king, and inventor of the bear destroying coffee table (patent not pending).
  4. Regression Testing by cthlptlk · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I am not a biologist or a roboticist, but as a programmer I suspect regression testing on altered proteins is going to be a bitch.

  5. Re:Test in humans by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    If you read the linked article, it says that human defense mechanisms quickly destroy and remove the DNA nanobots (liver filters them out and nucleases, enzymes chew up stray bits of DNA, breaks them up).

  6. Re:Test in humans by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's easy. Just remove all the cancer cells from the patient, put them in a petri dish, and unleash the nanobots on them there. When finished, put the dead cancer cells back into the patient.

    Easy peasy, no?

  7. Re:Test in humans by Saintwolf · · Score: 3, Funny

    How you don't currently have a Nobel prize is beyond me good Sir.