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Friday, 30th November 2007 (4026 views)

A team of American scientists has figured out a method of visually tracking DNA reactions within the human body using gold nanoparticles, according to Nanowerk News.

The tiny gold particles were covered with DNA strands designed to target messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) inside cells.

Chad Mirkin, who led the experiment, said the scientists found that when the DNA-coated particles bound to the mRNA, fluorescent flares were released, which enabled the reaction to be seen in real time.

Previous experiments using DNA-coated gold nanoparticles and mRNA found that scientists can use the reaction to control chemical processes within individual cells, a discovery which could have further applications in the field of medicine.

In related nanotechnology news, Science Daily reported earlier this month that researchers at the University of California, Berkeley discovered a new non-invasive molecular imaging technique using gold nanoparticles which has enabled scientists to observe the biochemical processes in single cells.

 

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