Researchers at the McGill University Chemistry Department have achieved a major breakthrough in the development of DNA nanotubes. The team has been able to create nanotubes that can be loaded with a cargo which is released when a specific strand of DNA is added. DNA nanotubes are hollow tubes formed of strands of DNA that are a few nanometers wide. In the far future these nanotubes might be used as “magic bullets” that deliver drugs locally to specific diseased cells. Genes in the cell then trigger the release of the encapsulated cargo. The discovery was published in Nature Chemistry on March 14.
Video showing the cargo release by the nanotubes:
McGill press release: DNA nanotechnology breakthrough offers promising applications in medicine…
Article abstract: Loading and selective release of cargo in DNA nanotubes with longitudinal variation