Researchers have developed what they describe as the world’s tiniest antenna made out of DNA, in a bid to monitor protein movements and learn more about nanotechnology.
Developed at the University of Montreal in Canada, the antenna is only five nanometres long and is made from DNA molecules that are roughly 20,000 times smaller than a human hair.
The nanoantenna is fluorescent and receives light in the form of colour, or wavelength. Depending on the movement of the protein it is monitoring, it reflects light back in another colour. Researchers can use this like a two-way radio to monitor protein movements in real time.
“One of the main advantages of using DNA to design these nanoantennas is that the chemistry of DNA is relatively simple and programmable,” said Scott Harroun, first author of the study, which was published in Nature Methods.
DNA synthesising technology was first developed more than 40 years ago and chemists can now use DNA to produce nanostructures of different lengths and flexibilities. The scientists believe these fluorescent antennas open new avenues in biochemistry and nanotechnology.
“In addition to helping us understand how natural nanomachines work or why they malfunction, leading to disease, this new method could promote the discovery of promising new drugs and guide nanoengineers in the development of improved nanomachines,” co-author Dominic Lauzon said.
The study has shown promising results and the DNA antenna was tested with three different proteins, demonstrating a versatility to its design. The researchers also detected the function of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase for the first time “with a variety of biological molecules and drugs”, according to Harroun.
“This enzyme has been implicated in many diseases, including various cancers and intestinal inflammation,” he added.
The study’s senior author, Prof Alexis Vallée-Bélisle, said the team is now working on setting up a start-up company to commercialise the nanoantenna and make it available for other researchers.
“Perhaps what we are most excited by is the realisation that many labs around the world, equipped with a conventional spectrofluorometer, could readily employ these nanoantennas to study their favourite protein, such as to identify new drugs or to develop new nanotechnologies,” Vallée-Bélisle added.
Leigh McGowran
This article originally appeared on www.siliconrepublic.com and can be found at: https://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/worlds-smallest-nanoantenna-dna-nanotechnology
You Might Also Be Interested In
Abbott Opens State-of-the-Art Global Manufacturing Facility in Kilkenny, Ireland
Abbott today marked the official opening of its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kilkenny, Ireland with a ceremony attended by An Taoiseach, Simon Harris, TD, and Abbott Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Robert Ford. The site is a global manufacturing centre of excellence for Abbott’s diabetes care business and will employ more than 800 people.
Read more
Freudenberg Medical opens expanded facility in Co. Leitrim and announces 250 new jobs
Freudenberg Medical, a leading global design, development and manufacturing partner for minimally invasive medical devices, has announced the creation of 250 new jobs, at the official opening of its newly expanded facility in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, Ireland.
Read more
Integer Completes Two Irish Facility Expansions to Support Growth, Strengthen Capabilities in Critical Medtech Region
Integer Holdings Corporation, a leading medical device contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), today formally announced the completion of its facility expansions in Ireland.
Read more