Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (USA) have recently unveiled a new invention called the NanoGripper.
The NanoGripper is a device shaped like a hand with four fingers, constructed from a single strand of DNA. This device has the ability to automatically tighten around viruses, preventing them from entering cells and causing disease.
Illustration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
The NanoGripper goes beyond virus detection; it also has the capability to transport drugs to targeted cells, opening up new possibilities for cancer treatment. According to scientists, this is the first project to use a single DNA strand to capture viruses on a nanometer scale without breaking. The fingers of the NanoGripper are designed with three movable joints, allowing for flexible operation.
This device has been tested for detecting the Covid-19 virus, with its sensor components adjusted to recognize the virus’s mutated proteins. When the virus enters the capture area, it is immediately ensnared. The foreign factor attached to the virus prevents it from entering cells while also integrating with diagnostic systems to easily identify the presence of pathogens. This allows the NanoGripper to count viruses in biological samples, providing accurate diagnostic results.
Although this solution cannot cure those already infected with the virus, it can be used as a preventive measure, such as in the form of a nasal spray to create a protective barrier against viruses.
NanoGripper will “capture” viruses.
In research published in the journal Science Robotics, the researchers emphasized that the NanoGripper has broader application potential than what has been discussed. It could be used to deliver cancer treatment drugs directly to cells, target other viruses such as HIV or hepatitis, and also serve diagnostic purposes.
Scientists stated: “We aim to create a soft material robot at the nanoscale with unprecedented grasping capabilities that can interact with cells, viruses, and other molecules for biomedical applications.” They also highlighted that using DNA with its unique structural properties, such as durability and flexibility, is a breakthrough in the design of this technology.
