A DNA nanocage for transporting drugs in the body
December 4, 2013
A method for developing a “nanocage” — which may eventually enable transport of medications in the body to target diseased cells — has been developed by researchers at Aarhus University and colleagues in Italy and the U.S.
Using DNA self-assembly, the researchers designed eight unique DNA molecules from the body’s own natural DNA molecules. When these DNA molecules are mixed together, they spontaneously aggregate in a usable form — a nanocage (a truncated octahedron or eight-sided structure, in this case).
The nanocage has four functional elements that transform themselves in response to changes in the surrounding temperature. These temperature transformations either close (at 4 degrees C) or open (at 37 degrees C) the nanocage (see figure above)./.../
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