Scientists have constructed a nanoscale robotic arm using DNA origami to trap viruses and tiny particles, and the study refers to this invention as the Nanohand, nicknamed Reedus in relation to its demonstrated results.
The researchers from a major U.S. university designed a nano-arm whose structure mimics a hand with multiple slender fingers. Each finger measures about 71 nanometers in length, and the fingers are interconnected by compact joints that allow precise movement at the nanoscale. The device demonstrated the ability to attach itself to the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, effectively obstructing its capacity to latch onto host cells in controlled laboratory conditions. In subsequent experiments, the same robotic appendage successfully bound to and captured gold nanoparticles, illustrating its potential to interact with a variety of nanoscale targets beyond viral particles.
One of the notable takeaways from the researchers is the stability of DNA origami constructs compared with ordinary DNA. In the bloodstream, native DNA is rapidly degraded by enzymes, whereas carefully folded DNA origami structures exhibit enhanced resilience, enabling longer operation windows for diagnostic or therapeutic applications. The team also envisions future iterations where ultraviolet light could drive the arm’s function, enabling a visual readout or glow during virus detection to facilitate rapid, on-site screening without complex instruments.
Historical analyses have uncovered traces of human and bovine DNA in air samples collected at altitudes up to several kilometers, underscoring the surprising reach of biological material in the environment and the ongoing interest in nanoscale biology for health monitoring and environmental surveillance.