Tuesday, December 16, 2008

MIT Battling Cancer Cells With DNA-coated Nanotubes!




At MIT researchers have figured out a way to coat carbon nanotubes with bespoke DNA strands. The DNA-coated 'tubes react differently when they make contact with healthy or cancerous cells, allowing doctors to determine if the chemotherapy is being effective.

So, a minute chunk of basic carbon, mated with a minute chunk of basic human = cancer fighting detecto-bot.

What a miraculous union of humanity and technology!

"We've made a sensor that can be placed in living cells, healthy or malignant, and actually detect several different classes of molecules that damage DNA," said Michael Strano, associate professor of chemical engineering at MIT."

Science! Epic win!

Here is an article from computerworld with more intel.

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