Featured
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Article |
DNA sense-and-respond protein modules for mammalian cells
A zinc finger–based modular DNA sequence–recognition system produces a customizable response signal that can induce apoptosis or detect virus-infected cells.
- Shimyn Slomovic
- & James J Collins
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Methods in Brief |
Wireless pharmacology and optogenetics
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Tools in Brief |
A DNA-based sensor for intracellular chloride
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Methods in Brief |
Thousands of cell droplets
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Brief Communication |
A complete bacterial genome assembled de novo using only nanopore sequencing data
By error-correcting long nanopore reads and calling a consensus sequence using nanopore signal data, an entire bacterial genome is assembled de novo.
- Nicholas J Loman
- , Joshua Quick
- & Jared T Simpson
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Research Highlights |
From form to function
DNA building blocks that interact on the basis of shape rather than sequence assemble into highly dynamic and complex structures.
- Michael Eisenstein
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Article |
A microfluidic device for label-free, physical capture of circulating tumor cell clusters
The Cluster-Chip provides highly efficient and gentle capture of circulating tumor cell clusters from milliliters of unprocessed whole blood, making it possible to study how these clusters contribute to metastasis.
- A Fatih Sarioglu
- , Nicola Aceto
- & Mehmet Toner
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Research Highlights |
Shape-shifting MRI probes
Tiny, environmentally responsive, magnetic resonance active nanostructures serve as shape-changing MRI sensors.
- Allison Doerr
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Research Highlights |
Neurons pick up the heat
Non-invasive neuronal stimulation deep within the brain is possible by tapping into an alternating magnetic field using magnetic nanoparticles.
- Nina Vogt
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Tools in Brief |
A nonblinking quantum dot
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Tools in Brief |
Cell positioning with acoustic waves
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Research Highlights |
Diamonds for MRI
Three groups report key steps toward nanometer-scale magnetic resonance imaging using nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond.
- Allison Doerr
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Article |
Improved data analysis for the MinION nanopore sequencer
Improved error assessment and read alignment on the MinION nanopore sequencing platform allow for calling of single-nucleotide variants and resolving the repeat structure of an assembly gap in the human X chromosome.
- Miten Jain
- , Ian T Fiddes
- & Mark Akeson
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Tools in Brief |
Nanopore sequencing for bacterial trouble spots
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Research Highlights |
Community organizers
Electrochemical sensors monitor communication between bacterial aggregates.
- Michael Eisenstein
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Method to Watch |
Nanopores for proteins
Nanopores hold promise for single-protein characterization.
- Tal Nawy
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News & Views |
Toward high-throughput biomechanical phenotyping of single molecules
Two high-throughput single-molecule force spectroscopy platforms expand the reach of this technology for biomechanical molecular phenotyping.
- David Alsteens
- , Savaş Tay
- & Daniel J Müller
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Technology Feature |
Biophysics: using sound to move cells
Moving and sorting cells with sound are a few of the possible applications for this no-contact technique.
- Vivien Marx
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Brief Communication |
Conformal nanopatterning of extracellular matrix proteins onto topographically complex surfaces
Patterning on topography printing allows nano- to microscale patterning of extracellular matrix proteins onto topologically complex surfaces.
- Yan Sun
- , Quentin Jallerat
- & Adam W Feinberg
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Brief Communication |
DNA nanoswitches: a quantitative platform for gel-based biomolecular interaction analysis
A DNA nanoswitch platform enables inexpensive kinetic and thermodynamic analysis of a range of biomolecular interactions using a simple gel electrophoresis readout.
- Mounir A Koussa
- , Ken Halvorsen
- & Wesley P Wong
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Research Highlights |
It's porin' CNTs
Lipid-coated carbon nanotubes can insert themselves spontaneously into lipid bilayers and live-cell membranes.
- Irene Jarchum
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Research Highlights |
A windowless peek into the brain
Imaging in a narrow region of near-infrared wavelengths reveals blood vessels at unprecedented depth and resolution without the need for a cranial window.
- Nina Vogt
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Research Highlights |
Imaging without labels
Researchers report an optical method to detect and image single proteins without using any labels.
- Allison Doerr
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Research Highlights |
Nanopores read long genomic DNA
An ion-current map characteristic of four nucleotides traversing a protein nanopore allows resequencing of long DNA reads.
- Nicole Rusk
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Research Highlights |
Etching away at the surface
Silver-based nanoparticles in combination with an etching procedure facilitate the analysis of cellular internalization processes.
- Nina Vogt
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Research Highlights |
A nano-view of movement in cells
Methods to label proteins with carbon nanotubes permit the study of intracellular movement at different timescales.
- Natalie de Souza
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Article |
Spatial control of membrane receptor function using ligand nanocalipers
Ligand nanocalipers made using DNA nanotechnology are used to display ephrin-A5 at well-defined spatial intervals to study how nanoscale ligand spacing affects EphA2 receptor activation in breast cancer cells.
- Alan Shaw
- , Vanessa Lundin
- & Ana I Teixeira
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Research Highlights |
Stepping toward sequencing single proteins
An electronic, molecular fingerprinting method may lead to an approach to single-molecule protein sequencing.
- Allison Doerr
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Tools in Brief |
Microbially produced ultrasound reporters
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Tools in Brief |
Activatable photoacoustic probes
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Research Highlights |
Nanopores sense protein modifications
Protein nanopores can detect post-translational modifications in proteins.
- Tal Nawy
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Tools in Brief |
Flexible and minimally invasive nanowires
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Research Highlights |
Here comes the neighborhood
Laser-guided assembly of protein microscaffolds lets researchers construct multispecies cellular communities.
- Michael Eisenstein
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Methods in Brief |
Nanodiamonds to track cells in vivo
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Research Highlights |
Cells under pressure
A tiny silicon chip internalized by cells measures intracellular pressure changes.
- Allison Doerr
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Tools in Brief |
Hyperpolarized silicon particles for MRI
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News & Views |
Another transistor-based revolution: on-chip qPCR
More than 40 years after the invention of semiconductor pH microtransducers known as ISFETs, this transistor-based technology may revolutionize quantitative PCR.
- Carlotta Guiducci
- & Fabio M Spiga
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Article |
Simultaneous DNA amplification and detection using a pH-sensing semiconductor system
A semiconductor chip, coupled to an ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) pH sensor, can amplify and quantitate DNA in real time without dyes, cameras and external heating devices.
- Christofer Toumazou
- , Leila M Shepherd
- & Linglan Zhang
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Article |
Enzymatic production of 'monoclonal stoichiometric' single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides
A method for enzymatically producing long, high-purity, single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides should find many applications in basic research, in DNA nanotechnology and in clinical fields.
- Cosimo Ducani
- , Corinna Kaul
- & Björn Högberg
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Methods in Brief |
Polypeptide nanostructures
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Methods in Brief |
Building DNA gridirons
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Research Highlights |
Magnetic signaling control
Molecular assemblies on magnetic nanoparticles enable localized activation of signaling pathways inside cells.
- Erika Pastrana
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Methods in Brief |
Nanopore-based protein sequencing
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Research Highlights |
Receptive cells feel the squeeze
Forcing cells through a small opening in a microfluidic channel lets foreign particles enter.
- Tal Nawy
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Methods in Brief |
An earthworm QD factory
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Methods in Brief |
DNA nanostructures built from bricks
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Method to Watch |
Disruptive nanopores
2013 will see the first commercial nanopore sequencers.
- Nicole Rusk
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Research Highlights |
Changing the channel
Self-assembling DNA nanopores could offer a powerful, customizable tool for a host of biological applications.
- Michael Eisenstein
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Research Highlights |
Dye shines bright
A tiny lightning rod made of two gold particles and a DNA pillar creates a hotspot that brightens fluorescent signals in zeptoliter volumes.
- Vivien Marx