Science Daily January 17, 2020 Microtubule is one of the principal cellular components formed via hierarchical self‐assembly of nanometer‐sized tubulin heterodimers into protofilaments, which then associate to form a micron‐length‐scale, multi‐stranded tube. Researchers in South Korea discovered that a cucurbituril (pumpkin-shaped chemical compound)-based host-guest complex polymerized into a linear polymer chain, which was further associated with each other into a hollow microtubule via van der Waals interactions arising from their shape self-complementarity. It formed a tubular structure with a length over tens of micrometers. The polymer chain became straight and stiff by itself, and eventually LEGO brick-like shape emerged during […]
Tag Archives: Biotechnology
Molecular Electronics Chip With 100 Million DNA Reading Devices
Next Big Future December 30, 2019 Utilizing advances in semiconductor technology, nano-fabrication and bio-sensors, a company in America has created standard CMOS chips that directly integrate sensor molecules into the CMOS integrated circuits. The current chip is designed to read DNA; future chips will be designed for protein detection and other diverse bio-sensing applications. It reduces whole genome sequencing from days to minutes, through direct electrical sensing delivered at the speed of natural DNA synthesis. Using a single molecule workflow eliminates the time and complexity of sample preparation, delivering ultimate simplicity, speed and lower costs. This also improves the data […]
A fast and inexpensive device to capture and identify viruses
EurekAlert December 23, 2019 Currently, virologists estimate that 1.67 million unknown viruses are in animals, a number of which can be transmitted to humans. A team of researchers in the US (Pennsylvania State University, New York University) synthesized a gradient of aligned carbon nanotube forest arrays to capture different viruses and detect them in-situ Raman spectroscopy to identify the viruses based on their individual vibration. They designed and assembled a portable platform that enriches virus particles from several milliliters of clinical samples in a couple of minutes. They added gold nanoparticles to enhance the Raman signal to detect the virus […]
Scientists harvest energy from light using bio-inspired artificial cells
Nanowerk December 12, 2019 Researchers at the Argonne National Laboratory created cell-like hollow capsule structures through the spontaneous self-assembly of hybrid gold-silver nanorods held together by weak interactions. By wrapping these capsules’ walls with a light-sensitive membrane protein called bacteriorhodopsin, the researchers were able to unidirectionally channel protons from the interior of the artificial cells to the external environment. The key to the research came from coupling the group of artificial cells that were generating protons to a second, distinct group of artificial cells. These cells contain molecular motor machinery that uses the proton gradient to generate ATP which is […]
A self-cleaning surface that repels even the deadliest superbugs
EurekAlert December 13, 2019 Researchers in Canada have developed a plastic surface that can be shrink-wrapped onto door handles, railings, IV stands and other surfaces that can be magnets for bacteria such as MRSA and C. difficile. The surface is also treated chemically to further enhance its repellent properties, resulting in a barrier that is flexible, durable and inexpensive to reproduce. It works through a combination of nano-scale surface engineering and chemistry. The surface is textured with microscopic wrinkles that exclude all external molecules. A drop of water or blood or bacteria bounces away when it lands on the surface. […]
Fingerprint test can distinguish between those who have taken or handled heroin
Science Daily November 11, 2019 An international team of researchers (UK, Ireland) has built a fingerprint drug testing technology which is now able to detect heroin, its metabolite, 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-AM) and other analytes associated with the class A drug. The technology was able to identify traces of heroin and 6-AM on drug non-users in every scenario the researchers devised – whether someone directly touched the drug, handled it and then thoroughly washed their hands, or had come into contact with heroin via shaking someone else’s hand…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Using nature to produce a revolutionary optical material
Nanowerk September 5, 2019 An international team of researchers (China, Israel, Ireland) reports on the unique nano-photonic properties of elemental tellurium particles [Te(0)], as harvest from a culture of a tellurium-oxyanion respiring bacteria. These nano-crystals prove effective in the photonic applications in the mid-infrared range compared to the chemically-formed nano-materials, suggesting a unique and environmentally friendly route of synthesis. They used the nanocrystals and a polymer to build an electro-optic switch that is immune to damage from lasers. The new material could be used to safeguard drones, surveillance cameras and other equipment against laser attacks, which can disable or destroy […]
Compact water harvester sucks H20 from the air
The Engineer August 28, 2019 A team of researchers in the US (UC Berkeley, University of South Alabama) showed that a microporous aluminum-based metal-organic framework, MOF-303, can perform an adsorption–desorption cycle within minutes under a mild temperature swing. These findings were implemented in a new water harvester capable of generating 7-10 litres of water per day. The study demonstrates that creating sorbents capable of rapid water sorption dynamics, rather than merely focusing on high water capacities, is crucial to reach water production on a scale matching human consumption…read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Graphene-based fabric protects against mosquitoes
Physics World August 28, 2019 Researchers at Brown University investigated the fundamental interactions between graphene-based films and the globally important mosquito species, Aedes aegypti, through a combination of live mosquito experiments, needle penetration force measurements, and mathematical modeling of mechanical puncture phenomena. The results showed that graphene or graphene oxide nanosheet films in the dry state are highly effective at suppressing mosquito biting behavior on live human skin. Behavioral assays indicated that the primary mechanism is not mechanical puncture resistance, but rather interference with host chemosensing. This interference is proposed to be a molecular barrier effect that prevents Aedes from […]
Bacteria-killing gel heals itself while healing you
Phys.org July 25, 2019 Researchers in Canada report hierarchically structured hydrogels of self-organized M13 bacteriophage bundles, composed of hundreds of M13 nanofilaments, which exhibit both long-range and micron-scale order, are visible in electron micrographs of the cross-linked state. They adsorb up to 16× their weight in water, exhibit advanced properties at room temperature, namely, self-healing under biological conditions, autofluorescence in three channels, which decays through biodegradation, potentiating non-destructive imaging capability, and bioactivity toward the host bacteria. The latter is a powerful property, allowing the development of hydrogels with tunable bioactivity when combined with the phage display and/or recombinant DNA technology. […]