Finding their Target (IMAGE)

Arizona State University

Finding their Target

Caption

The key to programming a nanorobot that only attacks a cancer cell was to include a special payload on its surface, called a DNA aptamer. The DNA aptamer could specifically target a protein, called nucleolin, that is made in high amounts only on the surface of tumor endothelial cells -- and not found on the surface of healthy cells.

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Jason Drees, Arizona State University

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