Scientists have developed a molecular robot that can move along strands of DNA and follow programmed instructions. There have been other DNA-based robots developed that can walk along the DNA track by themselves in the past and the goal for the future is to be able to have these micro-robots walk on their own in any direction with a pattern. The 'fuel hairpin' is the key to the robot's purpose because it propels it along the track along with telling it where to go. With that kind of technology, robots can chose different branches of different molecular tracks. These robots would have detailed instructions where to go next and the ultimate goal would be to use them as cargo-carrying machines on the DNA. They could carry pharmaceuticals or other materials to different parts of the DNA where it was needed. The implications of this invention could help pinpoint problem spots in DNA and help to correct certain issues.
See: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110309113036.htm
Posted by Effie Morway
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I think this story is incredibly interesting. It wasn't very long ago that scientists were developing technology to simply view genetic material as a whole even before visual images of DNA strands. The idea of having such a microscopic robot that could analyze DNA opens doors for many more possibilities such as making structural changes or nucleotide changes to the genes in a species DNA for further research in genetic problems.
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