Nanotube sensor to detect nitric oxide gas
Nitric oxide is difficult to detect because it is very unstable. Monitoring nitric oxide levels in living cells will help researchers figure out its role in the cancer and other diseases. It would also allow closer study of nitric oxide releasing cancer drugs. Biologists could use these sensors to study the effects of nitric oxide on the brain, where it acts as a neurotransmitter.

The researchers coated carbon nanotubes with a polymer designed to specifically attract nitric oxide. The polymer is wrapped tightly enough so that only small molecules can get through to bind the nanotube by an extra pair of electrons passed from the polymer to the nanotube. The sensor is activated by near infrared light , which easily penetrates the human body. The team plans to start testing the sensors in living animals and is working on similar sensors that can detect molecules other than nitric oxide.

Microchip based on DNA structure
International Business machines and California Institute of Technology is developing microchips based on DNA structure. As designers struggle to cut costs, chipmakers attempt to develop smaller chips to address this challenge. Artificial DNA nano structures provide a cheaper framework to build microchips, which are used in many electronics devices like mobile phones.