DNA Buckyballs
Scientists at Cornell University have succeeded in designing DNA buckyballs, tiny geodesic spheres, that they propose to use for delivering drugs into cells..
Dan Luo, Cornell assistant professor of biological and environmental engineering in whose lab the DNA structures were made, suggests that drugs could be encapsulated in buckyballs to be carried into cells, where natural enzymes would break down the DNA, releasing the drug.
Carbon buckyballs, also known as fullerenes, were first discovered in 1985. If DNA buckballs prove to be useful, it will be the first practical application developed so far. Other possibilities include:
- Chemical sponges
- Nanotubes in microscopes
- Buckyballs in miniature circuits
- Lubricants, catalysts and superconductors
- Molecular sieves
- Buckycopiers to improve the resolution of photocopies
Newswise, August 28, 2005
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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health
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3 opinions for DNA Buckyballs
pineaple
Sep 21, 2005 at 9:24 pm
you need more information on these coz we need it for a project……..
Lei
Sep 22, 2005 at 12:54 am
Pineaple, Thanks for the comment. What information are you looking for? Maybe you can contact Dan Luo directly at Cornell.
Narconon
May 30, 2007 at 1:03 pm
I find the word buckyballs very funny but at least they do get the job done.
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