No Longer Just For Biology, RNA Can Now Be Built Into 3-D Arrays

Biomaterial to be girders for nanoscale construction projects

Researchers have coaxed RNA to self-assemble into 3-D arrays, a potential backbone for nanotech scaffolds. These RNA structures can form a wider variety of shapes than double-stranded DNA can and are easier to manipulate than many protein alternatives.

Peixuan Guo of Purdue University and his colleagues report the findings in the August 11, 2004, issue of the journal Nano Letters.

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<p><a href="http://www.physorg.com/news790.html">No Longer Just For Biology, RNA Can Now Be Built Into 3-D Arrays</a></p> <p> <b><i>Biomaterial to be girders for nanoscale construction projects</b></i> <br /> <br />Researchers have coaxed RNA to self-assemble into 3-D arrays, a potential backbone for <a class="directory" href="http://www.physorg.com/search/nanotech">nanotech</a> scaffolds. These RNA structures can form a wider variety of shapes than double-stranded DNA can and are easier to manipulate than many protein alternatives. <br /> <br />Peixuan Guo of Purdue University and his colleagues report the findings in the August 11, 2004, issue of the journal Nano Letters.</p>