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Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have created a NanoGripper, a nanorobotic hand made from a single strand of DNA, capable of detecting and blocking viruses. This innovative device mimics a human hand with four bendable fingers and a palm, using DNA's flexibility and programmability. Designed by a team led by bioengineering professor Xing Wang, the NanoGripper uses DNA aptamers programmed to recognize specific molecular targets, like the spike protein of COVID-19. When it identifies the virus, its fingers bend to securely grip the particle.
The team integrated the NanoGripper with a photonic crystal sensor. This system enabled a rapid 30-minute COVID-19 detection test, matching the sensitivity of hospital-standard qPCR tests. The NanoGripper directly detects intact viruses, making the process fast and straightforward. The test involves triggering fluorescent molecules on the virus, which emit detectable light when illuminated by LEDs or lasers.
Beyond diagnostics, the NanoGripper demonstrated the ability to block viruses from infecting cells. In lab experiments, the grippers wrapped around COVID-19 particles, preventing their spike proteins from binding to cell receptors, offering potential as a preventive nasal spray against respiratory viruses.
The technology extends to other applications, including detecting viruses like influenza or HIV and delivering targeted cancer therapies. The gripper could be programmed to recognize specific cancer markers and carry therapeutic agents directly to cancer cells.
This study, published in Science Robotics, highlights the potential of DNA-based nanotechnology in diagnostics and medicine.
