New York's Columbia University researchers have created nano-sized molecular protein (streptavidin) spider robots that can walk, change direction, and create other nano-products.
Reported originally in Nature, and covered in a Daily Mail UK article, these tiny nano-spiders, only four nanometres in diameter, could potentially be used to repair the human body such as finding and destroying cancerous cells.
All kinds of inorganic and organic nano-devices have been made but these are quite unique in that they can move along a DNA molecule, much like a train can travel along a train track but the four (not eight) legged nano-spider attaches to elements of the DNA molecule, pulls itself forward and then un-attaches itself as it moves on to the next attachment point.
Via Daily Mail
Comments (12)
or they can be very helpful, fighting infection in bodies. And extend the human lifespan by double.
written by Sam Whitten , January 26, 2011
written by Sam Whitten , January 26, 2011
selfreplicating... can't be seen... can do things to dna... dangerous
written by jim , January 26, 2011
written by jim , January 26, 2011
Does this NOT sound exactly like Mission Impossible nanobots that like dissolved everything they messed with into mush?
Let's put these in our bloodstream, brilliant.
written by Day Kwan Jefferson , January 27, 2011
Let's put these in our bloodstream, brilliant.
written by Day Kwan Jefferson , January 27, 2011
yes, because technology has free will...oh wait it doesnt. it wouldnt kill you, it would do what it's supposed to, help. dont push away good new technology because you dont understand it :(
written by ausgezeichnet222 , January 27, 2011
written by ausgezeichnet222 , January 27, 2011
Very good ausge, I'm glad you've realized technology has no free will and decided to post it just incase the rest of us are still living in the 50's with radical ideas of live AI systems. Truth is, no it can't but hey, I bet you someone could do one of those crazy things to machines, gah what is it... Oh yeah, program it to do whatever it wants.
Don't be such an idiot without being able to put up something of any context that relates to the concerns of the people posting here. Sure it could easily be just used for a cure, just as scientists believed Nuclear Energy was only going to be used for power, (Hiroshima).
People such as yourself believe to much of what they hear, but hey I'm excited for the tech. too, as long as it's used properly.
written by Mitchell , January 28, 2011
Don't be such an idiot without being able to put up something of any context that relates to the concerns of the people posting here. Sure it could easily be just used for a cure, just as scientists believed Nuclear Energy was only going to be used for power, (Hiroshima).
People such as yourself believe to much of what they hear, but hey I'm excited for the tech. too, as long as it's used properly.
written by Mitchell , January 28, 2011
it is stuff like this that is STOPPPING humans from evolving, through our technological advancements we have eliminated natural selection and thus stop evolution, survival of the fittest, that what nature intended.
written by i.hodgson , March 23, 2011
written by i.hodgson , March 23, 2011
This is how the amateur DNA hacker can deliver a payload, with absolutely no oversight or interference from those pesky regulating bodies....$5000 in cobbled equipment, some personal agenda, third-world backed. What could go wrong?
written by BkWdsDrftr , April 04, 2011
written by BkWdsDrftr , April 04, 2011
Ok first off this is absolutely brilliant. There isn't some "alien" trying to eat our brains. You all want a cure for cancer and a way to live longer and be better! Yet when something comes out that you don't understand due to your low intelect you try to stop it. Nobody said that you HAVE to get it. Let it be for the ones who are willing to take the risk. I'm sure people with cancer are willing to try and just because you are too stupid to understand shouldn't stop them. 14 year olds opinions don't count. "Aliens," I'm not discounting the theory. I'm just saying not everything is out to get us.
written by NanoTech , July 01, 2011
written by NanoTech , July 01, 2011
hodgson, this isnt stopping evolution, its pushing it forward. each piece of new technology that is created is a product of the evolution of our brains.
written by npachella , July 12, 2011
written by npachella , July 12, 2011
They are indeed stopping evolution, just like those damn vaccines, medication, hospitals, computers, and tech in general... do you really have a million years to let natural selection work? Instead, we direct our next step. Random evolution is fine, but sometimes you role snake eyes, just ask the dinosaurs!
written by ernestenbert , July 24, 2011
written by ernestenbert , July 24, 2011
stop freaking out ppl. these could greatly benefit societ by making people almost immortal, repairing damaged cells 24/7. and for all of you freaking out about aliens and gov't control, there will always be the radicals that refuse to buy into the transhumanist values and will not get these nanobots put inside them
written by logan , December 29, 2011
written by logan , December 29, 2011
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Are alien beings present on Earth? Are they attempting to enslave humanity? Can anyone stop this nest step in the evolution of the human species? Seems like a no-brainer (no pun intended).
written by ecip , December 13, 2010