Researchers at the University of Portsmouth have developed an
electronic switch based on DNA - a world-first bio-
nanotechnology breakthrough that provides the foundation for the
interface between living organisms and the computer world....
The new technology is called a 'nanoactuator' (shown in the
image above) or a molecular dynamo. The device is invisible to
the naked eye - about one thousandth of a strand of human hair.
The DNA switch has been developed by British Molecular
Biotechnology expert Dr Keith Firman at the University of
Portsmouth working in collaboration with other European
researchers. Dr Firman and his international team have been
awarded a €2 million (£1.36m) European Commission grant under
its New and Emerging Science and Technology (NEST) initiative to
further develop this ground-breaking new technology. But the DNA
switch has immediate practical applications in toxin detection,
and could be used in a biodefence role as a biological sensor to
detect airborne pathogens. The future applicati