Nanotechnology + Art
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter on a near-atomic scale to produce new structures, materials and devices. The technology promises scientific advancement in many sectors such as medicine, consumer products, energy, materials and manufacturing. It refers to engineered structures, devices, and systems.
Nanotechnology
In the TED Talk "Paul Rothemund details DNA folding," scientist Paul Rothemund talks about the field of DNA nanotechnology, specifically the process of folding DNA into complex structures. Rothemund explains that DNA can also be utilized as a construction material at the nanoscale. To show this, Rothemund introduces DNA origami, a method he developed that involves folding a long singular strand of DNA into specific shapes using shorter "staple" strands. This technique creates a variety of nanostructures, such as squares, triangles, and even more complex designs.
He explains how DNA folding works by designing complementary DNA sequences that bind together in specific regions, enabling the creation of desired shapes. He says by utilizing DNA origami, it can be used as a platform for building nanoscale objects or organizing other materials with extreme precision. Tiny devices for drug delivery, building nanoscale circuits for computation, and even constructing scaffolds for regenerative medicine can be made with DNA nanotechnology. Rothemund emphasizes the limitless potential of DNA as a powerful tool for nanoscale engineering.
“Nanotech Jim Pt1.” YouTube, 21 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7jM6-iqzzE.
“Nanotech Jim PT5.” YouTube, 21 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OWc8nmHJmY&t=182s.
“Nanotechnology.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 Mar. 2020, www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/default.html#:~:text=Nanotechnology%20is%20the%20manipulation%20of,%2C%20energy%2C%20materials%20and%20manufacturing.
Rothemund, Paul. “DNA Folding, in Detail.” Paul Rothemund: DNA Folding, in Detail | TED Talk, www.ted.com/talks/paul_rothemund_dna_folding_in_detail?language=en. Accessed 23 May 2023.
Vara, Vasanthi. “Nanotechnology in Medicine: Technology Trends.” Medical Device Network, 10 July 2020, www.medicaldevice-network.com/comment/nanotechnology-medicine-technology/.
Hi Elise, thank you for taking the time to write a really insightful blog post. I really enjoyed reading it and learning about DNA folding and origami. Honestly, I had never even heard about that before, so this is a really cool concept. I am definitely going to learn more about it. It is really exciting to know that art and science are so intricately intertwined in ways I never would have imagined. Again, thanks for your blog!
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