At a Glance
- Scientists have developed self-replicating nanorobots made from DNA, which have potential applications in targeted cancer treatment and environmental cleanup.
- These nanorobots are microscopic, with 1,000 of them able to fit into the width of a sheet of paper. They can perform precise tasks and handle nanomaterials, making them ideal for manufacturing platforms.
- The nanorobots are created by manipulating different parts of DNA strands and aligning them to be “welded” together. This breakthrough allows limitless self-replication in three dimensions, surpassing previous two-dimensional limitations.
- Proper folding is crucial for the functionality of synthetic and biomolecular structures. The researchers have overcome this challenge by introducing multiple-axis precise folding and positioning as a tool for nanomanufacturing.
- The potential applications of these nanorobots are vast, including targeted drug delivery and environmental cleanup. However, concerns about uncontrolled replication have been addressed by ensuring the nanorobots are programmable and controlled by external factors like light and heat.
Scientists from universities in New York and Ningbo, China, have made a groundbreaking discovery in nanotechnology. They have successfully developed tiny robots built from DNA that can reproduce themselves. These nanorobots hold immense potential for various applications, including targeted cancer treatment and environmental cleanup.
The nanorobots are so tiny that 1,000 of them can fit into the width of a sheet of paper. Lead researcher Feng Zhou, from New York University‘s Department of Physics and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, explains that these nanoscale industrial robots can perform repetitive tasks with precision and accuracy. They can handle and produce nanomaterials, making them ideal for manufacturing platforms.
The mechanism behind these nanorobots involves manipulating different parts of DNA strands and aligning them to be “welded” together. Zhou’s team has developed a novel method of folding DNA in three dimensions, allowing for limitless self-replication. Previous research in DNA robotics was limited to two-dimensional construction, but this breakthrough opens the door to more complex and useful nano- and microdevices.
The potential applications of these nanorobots are vast. They could be used for targeted drug delivery, navigating through a patient’s bloodstream to target cancer cells without requiring invasive surgery. Additionally, they could be employed in environmental cleanup efforts, collecting toxic waste from the ocean. The possibilities for nanomedicine, diagnostic sensing, and nanorobotics are endless.
It is important to note that this development has raised concerns reminiscent of science fiction scenarios. E. Eric Drexler, a pioneer of nanotechnology research, warned about the possibility of catastrophic replication of nanobots, known as “gray goo,” which could consume all biomass. However, the researchers ensure that their nanorobots are programmable and controlled by external factors such as light and heat, mitigating the risk of uncontrolled replication.
The study was published in Science Robotics. This groundbreaking research paves the way for further advancements in nanotechnology and holds promise for revolutionizing various fields, from medicine to environmental science.
References
- Grad, P. & Phys.org. (2023, December 7). Researchers create 3D DNA nanorobots. Phys.Org; Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2023-12-3d-dna-nanorobots.html
- Zhou, F., Ni, H., Zhu, G., Bershadsky, L., Sha, R., Seeman, N. C., & Chaikin, P. M. (2023). Toward three-dimensional DNA industrial nanorobots. Science Robotics, 8(85), eadf1274. https://doi.org/10.1126/scirobotics.adf1274
