DNA (deoxyribonucleic acids) – a molecule that can do so much more !!!

DNA is a molecule that can be found in all living cell. It is known to carry the information for proteins that are made by the cell. This has been known for over 70 years now. However, during the last couple of years DNA has also been used in a different context. Now DNA is also used to build small structures such as nano-scale origamis and artificial cells to test for toxins. DNA nanotechnology for instance builds static 2D and 3D structures as well as small dynamic structures such as motors based on just DNA. These structures are very small and can fold by itself by finding its complementary DNA strand. They can be used to make tiny bar codes, DNA based computers, biological motors, gene and drug delivery systems, diagnostics, biosensors... Synthetic biology on the other hand, uses DNA to create new biological parts, devices, and systems, or to redesign systems that are already found in nature. This way DNA parts from very different organisms can be combined to build artificial cell systems based on biological logic gates or create proteins that have never been found in nature. It is a highly multidisciplinary approach and engages experts working in many different areas spanning from biology, chemistry, physics, electrical engineering all the way to computer science to find new technical solutions based on the use of biological molecules.