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Friday, 2nd January 2009 (1717 views)

US scientists have attached gold nanoparticles to DNA in order to engineer nanotubes that will be useful in several applications.

Hao Yan and Yan Liu from Arizona State University conducted the work, which was supported by the National Science Foundation.

They wanted to create an effective way of assembling structures using nanotubes so they looked to the natural self-assembling properties of DNA to help them.

By changing the size of the gold particles that were bound to the DNA, they were able to manipulate the size and shape of the nanotubes, meaning that they could be used to build a number of three-dimensional structures.

"The ability to build predicted structures and provide experimental feedback to current theories is critical to the nanotechnology field," remarked Hao Yan.

In related news, Wisconsin-based gold nano products firm Platypus Technologies has appointed Richard Schifreen as its president and chief executive officer.

 

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