May. 6th, 2004

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DNA-based nanobot takes a stroll

Asimov would have been so proud: New York scientists have created a walking robot, just 10 nanometres long and made out of DNA. Alright, it needs a path made of DNA to walk along, but this is still amazing stuff.

The researchers are taking advantage of DNA chains' propensity to pair up. The legs are made of two strands wrapped together in a double helix, but at the end of each leg, there is a single strand they call a foot. By detatching and reattaching themselves to the footpath, the legs can move along.

The breakthrough has been hailed as a great step forward. Presumably the pun was intended...

[full story at the New Scientist]

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