Scientists have created a microscopic "arm" made of DNA that captures viruses to prevent infections
Scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a microscopic arm, called the NanoGripper, from a single piece of coiled DNA that can capture COVID-19 virus particles.
Here's What We Know
The study, published on 27 November in the journal Science Robotics, showed that NanoGripper can perform rapid tests to detect the virus and prevent it from entering healthy cells. The arm has four fingers and a palm that can capture viral particles such as the adhesion protein COVID-19.
The NanoGripper arm and its components. Image: Xing Wang
The device also features a unique sensor that detects the virus in 30 minutes with accuracy comparable to molecular qPCR tests. Scientists plan to use NanoGripper to create an antiviral nasal spray that will prevent inhaled viruses from interacting with cells in the nose.
In addition, NanoGripper can be modified to detect and capture other viruses such as HIV, influenza and hepatitis B, as well as for targeted drug delivery. In the future, scientists hope to use the technology to treat cancer by programming the fingers to capture cancer cells and deliver anti-cancer drugs.
