Posted on March 2, 2017, 6 a.m. in Biotechnology Drug Delivery Technology
Researchers develop the first DNA computer capable of pinpointing several antibodies in the blood and carrying through resultant calculations.
A team of researchers has developed an intelligent DNA computer that can enable controlled drug delivery into the bloodstream. The team, from Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, believes this new method will lead to the development of smart drugs that more effectively treat autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. The team, led by Professor of Biochemical Chemistry Maarten Merkx, published their findings in the Nature Communications journal.
DNA Computing
DNA computing is a largely experimental field of scientific study. Using a combination of DNA, biochemistry, and molecular biology hardware, researchers seek to use DNA sequencing for data storage and to perform complex calculations.
The goal of this new field is to create nano-computers using DNA instead of mechanical parts. The resulting machines would be able to store immense amounts of data and make complex calculations faster than inorganic equipment. Some scientists believe DNA computers may one day replace silicon-based hardware.
Possible Applications in Medical Treatment
DNA computing methods, due to their organic nature, allow medicines to work more effectively with the bodys natural defenses. Researchers compare the body to a security system with facial recognition. Previous research has focused on creating a machine that is recognized by the body, similar to the way a security system would recognize an authorized person.
Professor Merkxs method adds the ability to recognize the presence of antibodies. The identification and measurement of antibodies is a crucial step in diagnosing and treating disease. Antibody levels are also a factor when calculating the dosage of therapeutic drugs.
With DNA nano-computers able to detect and measure antibodies while performing complex analyses, researchers are hopeful machines can be programmed to carry out actions in response to certain measurements. Merkxs team successfully used DNA computing to control the activity of enzymes. The professor believes it is possible to apply this technique to therapeutic antibodies. This should result in better absorption of therapeutic substances. When used as a delivery system, these computers will be able to decide how much medicine to release into the bloodstream, based on the antibodies in the bloodstream.
Future Applications in the Treatment of Chronic Disease
Researchers are working on ways to use the technology in the fight against chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohns Disease. These conditions are often treated with the same drugs. The dosage is dependent on the condition it is meant to treat. Smart drugs would be able to deliver the most accurately therapeutic dose of medication. This would allow for more effective treatment. It would also reduce the overall cost of treatment and reduce side effects.
View post:
DNA Computer Enables Controlled Drug Delivery - Anti Aging News
- Sunlight May Help Protect Men From Kidney Cancer - April 10th, 2010 [April 10th, 2010]
- Heart Disease - April 14th, 2010 [April 14th, 2010]
- The pH Miracle Living Diet Can Change Your Life - April 18th, 2010 [April 18th, 2010]
- Garlic Good For Stomach and Colon Cancers - April 22nd, 2010 [April 22nd, 2010]
- Smokeless tobacco products like snuff also cause cancer - April 25th, 2010 [April 25th, 2010]
- Prevention of Acupuncture Infection Needs More Focus - April 29th, 2010 [April 29th, 2010]
- Squamous cell carcinoma and Epstein Bar - May 3rd, 2010 [May 3rd, 2010]
- Prostate cancer therapy can increase risk of heart disease and death - May 7th, 2010 [May 7th, 2010]
- Protect Your Baby's Smile - May 11th, 2010 [May 11th, 2010]
- New Insights Show Ginseng Fights Inflammation - May 15th, 2010 [May 15th, 2010]
- Acupuncture Delivers Some Pain Relief - May 19th, 2010 [May 19th, 2010]
- Natural compounds in carnivorous plants could fight human fungal infections - May 23rd, 2010 [May 23rd, 2010]
- How to Treat Diabetes Without Medication - May 27th, 2010 [May 27th, 2010]
- Testosterone May Make Women Less Trusting - June 3rd, 2010 [June 3rd, 2010]
- Brain Develops Differently in Fragile X Syndrome - June 7th, 2010 [June 7th, 2010]
- Gaia Herbs achieves industry breakthrough in herb potency, safety and traceability - June 11th, 2010 [June 11th, 2010]
- Doctors are addicted to "every drug under the sun" - June 15th, 2010 [June 15th, 2010]
- Like Humans, Chimps Ape Their Betters - June 19th, 2010 [June 19th, 2010]
- Exercise in Adolescence May Cut Risk of Deadly Brain - June 23rd, 2010 [June 23rd, 2010]
- BP is burning rare sea turtles alive, blocking efforts to save them - June 27th, 2010 [June 27th, 2010]
- Exercise Helps Reduce Falls in Young and Old - July 1st, 2010 [July 1st, 2010]
- Scientists Spot Gene Variants That Predict Longevity - July 7th, 2010 [July 7th, 2010]
- Mediterranean Diet Helps Protect Aging Brain - July 11th, 2010 [July 11th, 2010]
- Diabetes Medicines - July 15th, 2010 [July 15th, 2010]
- Cutting Calories May Boost Aging Brains - July 23rd, 2010 [July 23rd, 2010]
- Meditation Appears to Boost Attention Span - July 31st, 2010 [July 31st, 2010]
- Constipation May Lead to Other Problems - August 12th, 2010 [August 12th, 2010]
- A healthy heart slows brain aging - August 12th, 2010 [August 12th, 2010]
- 7-year-old girl dies after Botox injections - August 16th, 2010 [August 16th, 2010]
- Infidelity Rises When She Makes More Than He Does - October 11th, 2010 [October 11th, 2010]
- Confused About Coconut Oil? - October 11th, 2010 [October 11th, 2010]
- Widely Used Plastics Chemical Linked to Testosterone Boost - October 11th, 2010 [October 11th, 2010]
- Monitoring of Kidney Health Urged for Injection Drug Users - October 11th, 2010 [October 11th, 2010]
- A Stone-age prescription - October 11th, 2010 [October 11th, 2010]
- Researchers Reluctantly Admit Mediterranean Diet Beats Diabetes Drugs for Controlling - October 11th, 2010 [October 11th, 2010]
- Simplified Framingham Model May Miscalculate Risk for Millions - October 11th, 2010 [October 11th, 2010]
- New and Undefined Diseases - October 11th, 2010 [October 11th, 2010]
- Experimental Treatment Could Fight Muscular Dystrophy - October 13th, 2010 [October 13th, 2010]
- Acids in the Mouth Cause Tooth Decay - October 19th, 2010 [October 19th, 2010]
- Everyday chemicals cause infertility, cancer and birth defects - November 7th, 2010 [November 7th, 2010]
- American Diabetes Association Alert Day - November 7th, 2010 [November 7th, 2010]
- Medical science discovers remarkable yet simple way to instantly increase your willpower - December 21st, 2010 [December 21st, 2010]
- Good Attitude Boosts Health As Much As Formal Education - December 21st, 2010 [December 21st, 2010]
- Smiling helps prevent aging, wrinkles - December 21st, 2010 [December 21st, 2010]
- Dying cancer patients subjected to expensive, meaningless cancer screening tests - December 21st, 2010 [December 21st, 2010]
- Green and orange vegetable consumption - an indicator of longevity - December 21st, 2010 [December 21st, 2010]
- Amino acids are latest in growing list of nutrients shown to extend life span - December 21st, 2010 [December 21st, 2010]
- Hospitals to begin publicly reporting preventable infections, deaths they cause - December 21st, 2010 [December 21st, 2010]
- Can you mix fruits and vegetables at one meal? - December 21st, 2010 [December 21st, 2010]
- Green tea blocks lung cancer - January 9th, 2011 [January 9th, 2011]
- Radiation Exposure Raises Likelihood of Second Cancer - January 11th, 2011 [January 11th, 2011]
- Doctors should be not allowed to tell patients they are seriously - January 21st, 2011 [January 21st, 2011]
- No More Arthritis and No More Pain - January 21st, 2011 [January 21st, 2011]
- For One Man, It's All About Prevention and Wellness - February 14th, 2011 [February 14th, 2011]
- Sugar, high-fructose corn syrup and type II diabetes - February 14th, 2011 [February 14th, 2011]
- Interview with a Nutritarian: Mark - February 14th, 2011 [February 14th, 2011]
- Memo to Men: To Live Longer, Take Better Care of Your Body - February 14th, 2011 [February 14th, 2011]
- Toxic chemical carcinogen found in water supplies nationwide - February 20th, 2011 [February 20th, 2011]
- High Nutrient Diet Reverses Diabetes - February 27th, 2011 [February 27th, 2011]
- Australia to outlaw thousands of plants, including national flower - March 11th, 2011 [March 11th, 2011]
- Salt increases heart attack and stroke risk, even if blood pressure is normal - March 27th, 2011 [March 27th, 2011]
- Gorillas need greens, not processed food - April 3rd, 2011 [April 3rd, 2011]
- Cyathostemma micranthum (A.DC.) J. Sincl.(Norn Maeo) - April 16th, 2011 [April 16th, 2011]
- Mental 'Exercise' May Only Hide Signs of Alzheimer's - May 1st, 2011 [May 1st, 2011]
- Women Taking Calcium Supplements May Risk Heart Health, Researchers Say - May 8th, 2011 [May 8th, 2011]
- Nicotine Raises Blood Sugar Levels in Lab - May 15th, 2011 [May 15th, 2011]
- Happiness Protects Your Heart - June 12th, 2011 [June 12th, 2011]
- The biggest threat to the health - June 18th, 2011 [June 18th, 2011]
- Gay Men More Likely to Have Had Cancer - July 3rd, 2011 [July 3rd, 2011]
- Chocolate compounds fight high cholesterol - July 10th, 2011 [July 10th, 2011]
- To Eat More Fruit, Picture a Fruit Salad - July 17th, 2011 [July 17th, 2011]
- Flaxseed Fails as Treatment for Hot Flashes - July 24th, 2011 [July 24th, 2011]
- Green tea better at preventing cancer and dementia than previously thought - August 2nd, 2011 [August 2nd, 2011]
- Are Taller People at Heightened Cancer Risk? - August 6th, 2011 [August 6th, 2011]
- Olive oil provides amazing liver protection - August 14th, 2011 [August 14th, 2011]
- Interview With Dr. Bruce Ames – An Anti Aging Specialist - August 14th, 2011 [August 14th, 2011]
- Low-carb diet may reverse kidney failure in diabetics, says new research - August 20th, 2011 [August 20th, 2011]
- The Secret History of Anti-Aging Medicine - August 27th, 2011 [August 27th, 2011]
- MapleStory -JVizzle- Sabitrama's Anti-Aging Medicine (LvL50) - August 27th, 2011 [August 27th, 2011]
- Functional/Anti-Aging Medicine - August 27th, 2011 [August 27th, 2011]