Atomic positioning with DNA hinges - Comments

[klotza]

klotza submitted a new PF Insights post

Atomic Positioning with DNA Hinges

Continue reading the Original PF Insights Post.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Wow! The birth of a new art?

 

[jerromyjon]

This is going to be a new category in physics soon? Nano-mechanics? It makes me want to build nanobots!

 

[Ygggdrasil]

This is going to be a new category in physics soon? Nano-mechanics? It makes me want to build nanobots!

You're not the only one interested in nanobots: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/making-a-voltron-out-of-dna.807896/ (of course, the DNA origami nanobot in that article only looks like a robot, but doesn't actually do anything). Here's a news piece from Nature discussion chemists efforts to build nanoscale parts to generate molecular scale motion: http://www.nature.com/news/the-tini...cale-motors-rotors-switches-and-pumps-1.18262 The article focuses mostly on supramolecular chemistry, though one could imagine trying to design DNA nanostructures capable of such functions as well.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

It makes me want to build nanobots!

I could see DIY kits out by Christmas

 

[jerromyjon]

I could see DIY kits out by Christmas

I was thinking the same thing! I just couldn't think of anything other than nanorobotic drain opener, and I doubt that's on anyone but the plumber's x-mas list.

Oooh, nanorobotic paint scrapers, too! I could use a few bucketfuls of those. I suppose they should collect lead as well...

Why can't I think of anything fun...

 

[aroc91]

The article focuses mostly on supramolecular chemistry, though one could imagine trying to design DNA nanostructures capable of such functions as well.

They're already beyond mere imagination, though I haven't seen anything more recent on the topic.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v459/n7243/full/nature07971.html

 

[jerromyjon]

I haven't seen anything more recent on the topic.

Me either. Anything in this realm attracts my interest! Having such fine angle control the first thing I'd want to make is atomic pinwheels to see if we can figure out how to make it do something...

 

[Ygggdrasil]

Three statisticians are playing darts in a bar. The first steps up to the line, throws his dart and misses wide left. The second statistician takes his turn, and misses wide right, at which point the third statistician yells "bullseye!"

After having time to read the full paper, this is my impression of the claim that the authors can position molecules with "Bohr radius" accuracy. Yes, they can construct structures where they molecules with an accuracy of 0.04 nm, but the precision with which they can place the molecules is an order of magnitude larger (~0.5 nm from the authors' estimates). The result is still impressive and useful, though claims of Bohr radius resolution may be a bit overblown.

 

[jerromyjon]

I wasn't thinking of positioning of atoms as into piece together parts, like on a workbench. I was thinking of the DNA backbone as the "bench" to assemble pieces within itself, similar to protein mechanics. I am quite fuzzy on what actually is state of the "art", as Greg called it... I think there might be a lot more going on behind the scenes or there should be! I can only imagine how much potential this field has and I can't make out many challenges it couldn't help overcome.

 

[hamideh]

Dear staff
i wowed a lot about this topic
thanks a lot

 

[1oldman2]

The possible places this could lead to in 20 years blows my mind. Hope I'm around to see it developed.