DNA nanorobot triggers targeted therapeutic responses in humans

Citation

Bloss, R. (2013), "DNA nanorobot triggers targeted therapeutic responses in humans", Industrial Robot, Vol. 40 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2013.04940aaa.003

DNA nanorobot triggers targeted therapeutic responses in humans

Article Type: Mini features From: Industrial Robot: An International Journal, Volume 40, Issue 1

Researchers at the Harvard University’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering have developed a DNA nanorobot to potentially aid in cancer treatment. Shawn Douglas and Ido Bachelet, both PhD’s, have created a programmable barrel-shaped nanorobot to seek out and capture cancer cells in the blood stream (Figure 1).

Figure 1 The programmable DNA nanorobot modeled after the human’s immune system

The programmable DNA nanorobot is modeled after the human body’s own immune system in which white blood cells patrol the blood stream. When there are danger signs, the white blood cells bind to the specific problem cells and destroy them.

When the nanorobot senses abnormal cells it has been programmed to detect it directs the hinged barrel halves to open and capture the diseased cells. The researchers embedded the search and capture instructions in modular components of the nanorobot. By combining several novel elements of DNA the researchers were able to create the barrel-shaped structure with no top or bottom lids.

The “open barrel” command DNA responds to proteins which are commonly found on cell surface and are largely responsible for transmembrane signaling. The open top and bottom barrel design allows capture to occur on the either side, top or bottom for better efficiency of capture.

This first DNA origami-based robotic system uses antibody fragments to convey molecular messages. This means the system is controlled and programmable in a way to replicate the human immune response or to enable the development of other new types of targeted therapies. Leukemia and lymphoma cells speak different languages so the researchers write “the seek and destroy” message in different antibody combinations.

For more information please send an e-mail to: mary.tolikas@wyss.harvard.edu. To watch a video of the DNA nanorobot please visit: www.vimeo.com/36880067

Richard BlossAssociate Editor