DNA Robots Designed In Minutes Instead of Days (phys.org) 16
Researchers have developed a tool that can design complex DNA robots and nanodevices in minutes instead of days. Phys.Org reports: In a paper published today in the journal Nature Materials, researchers from The Ohio State University -- led by former engineering doctoral student Chao-Min Huang -- unveiled new software they call MagicDNA. The software helps researchers design ways to take tiny strands of DNA and combine them into complex structures with parts like rotors and hinges that can move and complete a variety of tasks, including drug delivery. One advantage is that it allows researchers to carry out the entire design truly in 3-D. Earlier design tools only allowed creation in 2-D, forcing researchers to map their creations into 3-D. That meant designers couldn't make their devices too complex.
The software also allows designers to build DNA structures "bottom up" or "top down." In "bottom up" design, researchers take individual strands of DNA and decide how to organize them into the structure they want, which allows fine control over local device structure and properties. But they can also take a "top down" approach where they decide how their overall device needs to be shaped geometrically and then automate how the DNA strands are put together. Combining the two allows for increasing complexity of the overall geometry while maintaining precise control over individual component properties. Another key element of the software is that it allows simulations of how designed DNA devices would move and operate in the real world.
The software also allows designers to build DNA structures "bottom up" or "top down." In "bottom up" design, researchers take individual strands of DNA and decide how to organize them into the structure they want, which allows fine control over local device structure and properties. But they can also take a "top down" approach where they decide how their overall device needs to be shaped geometrically and then automate how the DNA strands are put together. Combining the two allows for increasing complexity of the overall geometry while maintaining precise control over individual component properties. Another key element of the software is that it allows simulations of how designed DNA devices would move and operate in the real world.
Popcorn! (Score:3)
Wait until the conspiracy wackjobs hear about this...
Re: (Score:2)
Wait until the conspiracy wackjobs hear about this...
It isn't that big of a deal. This is about building nanobots with strands of DNA.
It would be way more revolutionary to quickly design strands of DNA that could code for robots made of protein.
This is sort of like someone taking a bunch of instruction manuals and using them as bricks instead of following the instructions.
Re: (Score:2)
They will trigger as soon as they hear "nanobot" in light of today's commentary about vaccines. In vain I explain to them that when I made my Moderna reservations, I specified Apple nanochips for a better experience, rather than the Bill Gates version.
Cool (Score:1)
Previously done (Score:2)
I had to look this up to recall exactly, but Nanorex, Inc. founded in 2004 did this. They appear to no longer exist but here are some slides showing what was done:
http://www.rosettadesigngroup.... [rosettadesigngroup.com]
Re: (Score:3)
That Nanorex software is cool, but all the DNA designs you can create in that software appear to be 2D flat. They don't show any 3D designs that can be created by the software -- they are all 2D. Towards the end, the 3D stuff is all proteins, not DNA.
The article clearly states: Earlier design tools only allowed creation in 2-D, forcing researchers to map their creations into 3-D. That meant designers couldn't make their devices too complex.
Re: (Score:2)
That's a significant difference then. I guess the 3D cube on page four of the slides is just conceptual because otherwise I would agree it looks to be only 2D. Will be interesting to see what can be done with this. My guess is for some of the amazing Drexler type devices you probably need additional assemblers and other materials but maybe this gets people started in the right direction.
All I want to know is (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
After that dancing spleen is covered in vomit, you're going to need a Roomba.
Cadnano (Score:2)
http://cadnano.org/ [cadnano.org] has done this for many years, or am I missing something?
Re:Cadnano vs. MagicDNA (Score:1)
So maybe they (cadnano) have some competition now
from the folks at Ohio State and their MagicDNA.
One possible future may be that the cadnano crowd
and the upstart MagicDNA rebels compete to make
the most outlandish structures, culminating in semi-
regular nano-violent showdowns between their
respective nanobots in microscopic arenas. These
would, of course, be live streamed to an audience
of millions.
It'll all end in tears, though, because one of the bots,
programmed with evolutionary algorithms, will mutate
and re
The code is on GitHub! (Score:3)
https://github.com/cmhuang2011... [github.com]
User of enolez.com (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
Why DNA? Why not proteins? (Score:2)
This feels like filling car into the gasoline and driving off with the gasoline...
Or building the house out of scaffolding that other people use to build actual houses with.