Researchers Find Gold Nanoparticles Capable of ‘Unzipping’ DNA
New research from North Carolina State University finds that gold nanoparticles with a slight positive charge work collectively to unravel DNA’s double helix. This finding has ramifications for gene therapy research and the emerging field of DNA-based electronics.
“We began this work with the goal of improving methods of packaging genetic material for use in gene therapy,” says Dr. Anatoli Melechko, an associate professor of materials science and engineering at NC State and co-author of a paper describing the research. Gene therapy is an approach for addressing certain medical conditions by modifying the DNA in relevant cells. (more…)