Health Market Science

Scientist at the Wyss Institute at Harvard University recently developed a DNA robot that delivers payloads to specific cells. The nanoscale robots are comprised of DNA and could some day be used to deliver instructions to cells in a patient. By telling cells what to do, the robot could be used to fight diseases or tell certain molecules, such as cancer cells, to terminate themselves.

The robots were constructed using a technique called DNA oragami, which leverages the structure of DNA's complementary chemical base pairs to produce a variety of structures. The chemistry of DNA makes it easy to manipulate into tiny shapes at nanoscale, such as a smiley face or even perform computing tasks.

The scientists used the DNA to operate a simple logic gate system, similar to a computer. Shaped like a barrel, the DNA robot held chemicals inside of it, only to then flip a switch and release the chemical inside upon encountering a specific particle it was programmed to identify. The robot was inspired by the human immune system's ability to identify and attack threats within the body. The DNA robot can hold a variety of chemicals or drug dosages, including specific molecules encoded with instruction that can be intercepted by cell signalling receptors.

The scientists used the robot to deliver instructions to two types of cancer cells: leukemia and lymphoma. The message to the cell was to activate its own suicide switch, which allows aging or abnormal cells to be eliminated. Leukemia and lymphoma cells required different instructions because the cells interpret different messages. Through the use of modular components with different hinges and molecular messages, the DNA robots mimic white blood cells instructing invaders to self-destruct.

In an interview with BBC, the researchers said constructing the nanorobots out of DNA made them more likely to travel through the human body safely without being rejected or attacked by the immune system. Researchers are now working to optimize the devices and create several models for animal testing.

The success of the nanorobots suggests DNA oragami can be used to treat diseases. Researchers must focus on translating new technologies from the laboratory into transformative products and therapies for specific conditions, the researchers said. The scientists have already discovered a large number of proteins corresponding with different diseases the robots can identify. Thus, the medical device could be applied to a wide range of conditions.