Cutting edge chemistry in 2009

Chemistry World ^ | 18 December 2009 | Nina Notman

[neverdem]

What revelations caused the biggest buzz in chemistry labs around the globe during 2009? With the help of an expert panel of journal editors, Chemistry World reviews the ground-breaking research and important trends of the year's published chemical science papers.

Life in 3D

DNA origami, the folding of DNA into shapes on the nanoscale, moved from 2D into 3D during 2009. Hao Yan's team at Arizona State University kicked off this craze with a tetrahedron shaped 3D container made of DNA.1 A day later, Danish researchers led by Kurt Gothelf, from Aarhus University, published details of a nanosized 3D DNA box that can be locked or opened in response to 'keys' made from short strands of DNA [Chemistry World (CW) June, p27].2 Because these structures are hollow they can potentially carry cargo for applications such as drug delivery.

William Shih's group at Harvard University demonstrated a nanoconstruction approach to create a range of self-assembling 3D DNA origami 'tools' ranging from bent rods to toothed gears (CW September, p24).3,4

Meanwhile, Ned Seeman, from New York University, achieved a 30-year-old dream by self-assembling DNA triangles into 3D, macro-sized crystals (CW October, p27).5

Ned Seeman showed that DNA triangles can self-assemble into 3D lattices© Nature

[Da Coyote]

Uber cool.

And far, far beyond the Obamaloon or any of his minions.

[neverdem]

I hope you had a Merry Christmas!

Stem-cell activators switch function, repress mature cells

Naturally occurring lipid blocks RSV infection in lungs

Biological catch-22 prevents induction of antibodies that block HIV

Citrus surprise: Vitamin C boosts the reprogramming of adult cells into stem cells

FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.

[Quix]

Am remembering the Scripture from the time of the tower of Babel and confusing of the languages . . . God mentioning that . . . He had to confuse the languages . . .

else . . .

“man would discover the secret of life itself . . . “

[PGalt]

Thanks, neverdem. I did...until the Christmas day terrorist-on-plane incident. That dominated thoughts and conversations around our house the rest of the day. I came home from work today and was reading the posts on the newest Detroit airport incident. Sheesh. Not a great way to close out the week, but we might as well get used to it. Jihad will pre-occupy our lives our children’s lives and our grandchildren’s lives.

I hope yours was better.

[AussieJoe]

“Am remembering the Scripture from the time of the tower of Babel and confusing of the languages . . . God mentioning that . . . He had to confuse the languages . . .

else . . .

“man would discover the secret of life itself . . . “”

What I find interesting in the above is the implication that man has the capacity/ability to ‘discover the secret of life itself’.

The Internet is slowly but surely moving mankind towards universal dissemination of knowledge such that one day all people on earth will have full and equal access to the sum of all human knowledge. The possibilities are virtually endless, including the discovery of the secret of life itself.

[Quix]

I think God has a different plan . . .

Armageddon is likely to . . . interrupt that process.

Though it might be argued that DNA itself is some level of the secret of life.

We shall see.

Thx for your kind reply.

[BlueStateBlues]

Thanks, bookmarked for a later read. These scientific year enders are usually full of interesting information.

While I’m here, does anyone know the best FR thread on intelligent design? One with lots of links and data? Thanks.