The DNA Molecule is often regarded by many as the molecule
that defines life.
Truth be told, in a Nutshell, a DNA Molecule isn't life;
it's just the coded instructions that “living things” are used to pass of a
living entity's characteristics to ensure its survival.
Well, it’s just a molecule and a very versatile one at that.
So much so that researchers at Karolinska Institute in
Sweden have done research into creating a software algorithm that can create 3D
Shapes out of this massive yet very easy to work with molecule as reported in
the article “3D-printed
DNA 'bunnies' could deliver drugs into your body”, published July 23rd 2015
by Steve Dent , Engadget.
The researcher used their software algorithm to design the
complex 3D shapes in much the same way a graphic artiste would use Photoshop to
manipulate images to make up a final image for an advertising campaign.
Then they would give the computer algorithm their design and
it would tell them the list of short DNA sequences, reagents and reaction
conditions needed to created the structure in question, such as a ball, a
nicked torus, a rod, a helix, a waving stickman, a bottle, and a version of the
Stanford bunny as shown below.
Their work, published in the Journal
Nature is an indication of a growing trend in Research to develope algorithms
or computer programs that automate the process of designing components and
allowing them to be made in a Laboratory process.
A good example is the Stanford University’s Inverse Design
Algorithm for making Fiber Optic components as described in my blog article
entitled “Stanford
University’s Inverse Design Algorithm – AI designed Fiber Optic Motherboard for
Cool Running’s Optical Computer”.
So how does this algorithm created by the researchers at
Karolinska Institute in Sweden work exactly?
Karolinska
Institute in Sweden 3D DNA Algorithm - DNA Drug Delivery Systems for Future
Pharmaceuticals
As described previously, the algorithm created by the
researchers at Karolinska Institute in Sweden frees them from the repetitive
task of thinking how to design a 3D structure from DNA. It instead allows them
to focus on making the 3D Structure, with the algorithm giving them the
instructions on how to construct.
It figures out ways to join the base pairs that make up a
DNA molecule using the basic rule that nucleotide base, Adenine (A) can only
bond with Thiamine (T) and Guanine (G) can only bond with Cytosine (C).
If the base pairs cannot be joined, it adds on another base
pair creating a new rung in the DNA ladder and thus allows the shape to be
created as explained in “Researchers
folded DNA into the shape of a nanoscale bunny”, published July 22, 2015 by
Arielle Duhaime-Ross, The Verge.
This type of algorithm would have helped the researchers at
Sungkyunkwan University and Tohoku University in the creating of more complex
Self-Replicating Nanostructures as reported in my blog article
entitled “Sungkyunkwan
University and Tohoku University create Self-Replicating Nanostructures - How
DNA dances with Wolves Petri Dish points to Organic Computers”.
The aim of manipulating DNA is not just to create cute
shapes like little rabbits.
Due to the hydrophobic properties of DNA due to a
combination of hydrogen bonding and covalent bonding, creating these complex
shapes allows scientists to be able to develope nanoscopic drug delivery
systems to quote lead researcher Dr. Björn Högberg: “These structures will be a
guide for developing future research, including drug delivery systems, possibly
in the next 5 to 10 years”.
So how exactly will DNA Drug Delivery Systems work?
DNA Drug Delivery
Systems - How DNA Nanotechnology will makes Pills and Potions
Instead of giving patient pills, they can create
nanoparticles of targeted drugs.
These nanoparticle sized capsules, no more than 20 to 200
molecules of the drugs active ingredient inside of a 3D DNA Cage, would be
slowly released via capsules as suggested in the article “DNA
origami allows for 3D-printed DNA bunnies to deliver medication”, published
July 24, 2015 By Lulu Chang, Digitaltrends
delivering Pills and Potions, Nikki Minaj Style, to specific parts of the body.
These DNA Guided missiles, if I may use that terms, could
integrate a few molecules of the drug inside of the DNA cage and then attach a
protein coat on the outside as described by lead researcher Dr. Björn Högberg:
“We are attaching proteins and other biomolecules to DNA nanostructures to
create devices that can be used in biological research and potentially even
therapeutics”.
This would allow the drug to travel unhindered through the
body but would be porous enough to be eaten by a bacteria, thereby killing it.
The 3D DNA structure would also be porous enough to allow
small viruses to pass between the strands that make up the molecule after being
attracted by the presence of a receptor protein on the outer coat of the DNA
cage.
Once inside, they interact with the nanoparticles of the
drug, an interaction that would instantly kill them in the same manner that
Sodium Hypochlorite kills bacteria on contact!
Such a DNA Cage could be used to deliver poisonous doses of
the bee venom protein mellitin to kill HIV (High Immuno-Deficiency Virus). the
virus responsible for AIDS (Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome).
This Mellitin based HIV treatment was based on the work of
Dr. Joshua L. Hood, MD, PhD and his research Team at the Washington University
School of Medicine as described in my blog article
entitled “Washington
University School of Medicine Researchers use Liposomes and Melittin to kill
HIV - Olympus has Fallen and given us a Panacea for every disease on planet
Earth”.
It could also be used as a delivery mechanism for an extract
of the Lignum Vitae Tree developed by Dr Henry I.C. Lowe and his Bio-Tech
Research and Development Team in Jamaica that also kills the HIV Virus as
explained in my blog
article entitled “How
Dr. Lowe Lignum Vitae Extract is the Equivalent of Melittin in Bee Venom for
AIDS Treatment”.
Organic computers that work at a molecular level are also a
possibility as well using the construction techniques developed by this
algorithm. For now, however, just sit back and marvel at the genius of the
researchers at Karolinska Institute in Sweden making bunnies, standing men and
even helices.
Here’s the link:
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