PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 2-Jun-2014 Contact: James Devitt james.devitt@nyu.edu 212-998-6808 New York University Scientists at New York University and the University of Melbourne have developed a method using DNA origami to turn one-dimensional nano materials into two dimensions. Their breakthrough, published in the latest issue of the journal Nature Nanotechnology, offers the potential to enhance fiber optics and electronic devices by reducing their size and increasing their speed. "We can now take linear nano-materials and direct how they are organized in two dimensions, using a DNA origami platform to create any number of shapes," explains NYU Chemistry Professor Nadrian Seeman, the paper's senior author, who founded and developed the field of DNA nanotechnology, now pursued by laboratories around the globe, three decades ago. Seeman's collaborator, Sally Gras, an associate professor at the University of Melbourne, says, "We brought together two of life's building blocks, DNA and protein, in an exciting new way. We are growing protein fibers within a DNA origami structure." DNA origami employs approximately two hundred short DNA strands to direct longer strands in forming specific shapes. In their work, the scientists sought to create, and then manipulate the shape of, amyloid fibrilsrods of aggregated proteins, or peptides, that … Continue reading →

Published: 3 Jun 2014 10:40 THE chances of DNA found on Elaine Doyles body not being from murder accused John Docherty are a billion to one, the High Court has heard. Share this image Traces of DNA matching that of 49-year-old Docherty were found on Elaines naked body, but not on her clothes. Yesterday on the 28th anniversary of Elaines death forensic scientist Pauline McSorley told the court it was over a billion times more likely that the DNA profile she found came from Docherty rather than any other unrelated male. She agreed that sweat or droplets of saliva deposited as a perpetrator strangled the 16-year-old girl could account for her findings. The jury heard Mrs McSorley, 57, describe years of work carried out on samples taken from the crime scene, a lane just off Ardgowan Street. She and her colleagues had examined tape which had been laid across Elaines body in the hope of trapping hairs or fibres which might help track down her killer. The forensic scientists also tested the teenagers clothes for clues. Originally posted here: Docherty DNA match was 'a billion to one' … Continue reading →

Britain's fertility regulator says controversial techniques to create embryos from the DNA of three people "do not appear to be unsafe" even though no one has ever received the treatment, according to a new report released Tuesday. Shutterstock Enlarge photo LONDON Britain's fertility regulator says controversial techniques to create embryos from the DNA of three people "do not appear to be unsafe" even though no one has ever received the treatment, according to a new report released Tuesday. The report based its conclusion largely on lab tests and some animal experiments and called for further experiments before patients are treated. "Until a healthy baby is born, we cannot say 100 percent that these techniques are safe," said Dr. Andy Greenfield, who chaired the expert panel behind the report. The techniques are meant to stop mothers from passing on potentially fatal genetic diseases to their babies and involve altering a human egg or embryo before transferring it into a woman. Such methods have only been allowed for research in a laboratory, but the U.K. department of health has said it hopes new legislation will be in place by the end of the year that allows treatment of patients. If approved, Britain … Continue reading →