Karolinska Institute in Sweden 3D DNA Algorithm - How DNA Nanotechnology makes Pills and Potions for Future Pharmaceuticals

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:

DNA rendering of polyhedral meshes at the nanoscale