Source: University of Cambridge
Date: January 7, 2015
Website: sciencedaily.com
Author: University of Cambridge
URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150107082221.htm
Summary:
Short DNA strands attach synthetic lipid spheres, called vesicles, together to form a new substance that researchers of the University of Cambridge created. It is self-assembled and can intensify small differences in temperature and concentration of biomolecules when it changes its shape. This makes them easier to detect. Also, it can support a new type of biosensors and a new type of system for delivering drugs into the body. The material actually shrinks when exposed to high temperatures, which is caused by the interaction between the lipid spheres and the DNA strands. Researchers are able to make materials self-assemble into different shapes because they can customize DNA's sticky ends to only be able to compliment in base pairs with particular corresponding DNA sequences. On one end of each DNA strand is a sticky end. On the other end is a cholesterol anchor. The vesicles can be easily disfigured, which makes the material even more flexible. When the DNA strands spread out or rearrange, the material undergoes huge change in shape. The porosity of the material is affected by temperature. It is also affected by change in the concentration of the material's DNA chains.
Relevance:
The article is related to what we have learned in class. As the article says, the reason why the researchers are able to change the shape of this material into whatever they want is because the researchers can manipulate the sticky ends of the DNA strands in the material to go together with DNA that has a specific sequence of base pairs. In class, we learned that biologists are able to use restriction enzymes to make incisions in different locations in DNA sequences to get sticky ends with base pairs that will only match with sequences containing complementary base pairs. Because of the DNA's ability to be customized, the material's shape can be manipulated.
You wrote about the significant impacts of this new material when you said, , "it can support a new type of biosensors and a new type of system for delivering drugs into the body." However what new biosensors are being made? Additionally, how can this new material help deliver drugs into our bodies? Will the material be able to guide the drug towards a specific area within the body?
ReplyDeleteThe article does not specify what the new type of biosensors is, or how
Deletethe material helps deliver drugs into the body. A google search provided no answers regarding this material because this article is the only media that consists of information about this material. I think that because the material is able to detect small differences in temperature and concentration of biomolecules, it can play the role of a biosensor, and future biosensors could be made in the same format as this material. Also because the material can detect small differences in temperature and concentration of biomolecules, I think it can detect diseases inside the body so antibiotics can be injected in the right location. I could be wrong.
Do scientists form this vesicle before putting it into the body, and how do they make sure the sensors are in the places within the body where they need them? Extremely interesting article, and it could really help doctors get their job done faster.
ReplyDeleteScientists probably form the vesicles before putting the material into the body because forming the vesicles are part of creating the material itself. The article does not provide specific information like how scientists make sure the sensors are where they need them. What I think is that the material itself can be a biosensor due to its abilities to detect slight differences in temperature and concentration of biomolecules, and that future biosensors can be based on the design of this material. I could be wrong.
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