Category: | Science and Technology |
Domain: | |
Keywords: |
Nanotechnology - DNA, biotechnology, sensors, nanowires
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Outlook: |
Testing of DNA with nanowire sensors is likely to replace traditional DNA tests, making such testing less expensive, faster, and more widely available as a diagnostic tool.
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Summary Analysis: |
Highly sensitive sensors that employ nanomaterial science could enable the optoelectronic and electrochemical detection of DNA. Such sensors could allow single-drop-sized samples of DNA - from blood, urine, or saliva - to be tested for viral DNA, a genetic disorder, or drug interactions. Inexpensive and fast tests based on these sensors could allow earlier disease detection and provide a way of genotyping patients that is lower cost than the microarrays currently used. The early lead that microarrays have in research however could become an advantage when genotyping moves into the clinical setting.
Aside from their use in DNA testing, electronic sensors based on nanoscience would be more operationally convenient to use in field settings than chemical tests, and potentially be capable of detecting a wide range of materials with clinical, defense, and environmental relevance.
At present, it is not clear which of the competing technologies for nanowire sensors (for example, lithography and self-assembly) will be most successful.
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| Implications: |
- More rapid and lower cost testing
- Earlier disease detection
- More individualized medicine
- Greater use of DNA testing in field settings
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| Early Indicators: |
- Demonstration by Harvard University researchers that it is possible in real time to detect sequences of DNA that cause cystic fibrosis by using a sensor made from nanowires
- Design by researchers at Hewlett Packard of a 50-nm silicon-based sensor employing lithographic patterning techniques for the sequence-specific detection of DNA in very small quantities
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| What to Watch: |
- Manufacture of nanowire sensors based on one technology or another proves itself by resulting in rapidly falling cost per unit.
- Genotyping moves into the clinical setting and nanowire sensors predominate over microarrays there due to their lower cost.
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| Parallels/Precedents: |
- Development of microarrays for DNA testing
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| Enablers/drivers: |
- Increased production and lowered cost of carbon nanotubes
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| Leaders: |
Regions:
Institutions:
- Harvard University (Dr Charles Lieber's publication of his cystic fibrosis paper in the January 14, 2003, issue of Nano Letters)
- NanoSys, Inc.
- Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies, Sensor Program
- Brigham Young University [link]
- University of Cambridge [link]
- University of St Andrews [link]
- University of Ulster [link]
- Sony (Stuttgart) [link]
- Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research, Germany [link]
- Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council [link]
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| Figures: |
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| Sources: |
- Li, Z. et al. 2004. "Sequence-specific label-free DNA sensors based on silicon nanowires". Nano Letters 4, 245–247.
- "Tiny nanowire could be next big diagnostic tool for doctors." EurekaAlert 16 December 2003.
- Vartanian, Armand and Dave Kromrey, Jeremy Pett, Maya Lowell, & Axar Kharebov. "DNA Directed Construction of High Yield 2-D Nanowire Arrays", Caltech student paper.
- Hahm, J. and C.M. Lieber. "Direct ultrasensitive electrical detection of DNA and DNA sequence variations using nanowire nanosensors." Nano Letters.
- Qun Gu et al, DNA Nanowire Fabrication, Nanotechnology 17 R14-R25, 2006
- Helene Andersson and Albert van den Berg, Microtechnologies and Nanotechnologies for Single-Cell Analysis, Current Opinion in Biotechnology 15, 44-49, 2004 [link]
- Mali, P and Lal, R.K, The DNA SET: a novel device for single-molecule DNA sequencing, IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, 51, 12 2004-2012, 2004
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| At A Glance: | When: |
3–10 years
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| | Where: |
Global
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| | How Fast: |
Years
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| | Likelihood: |
Medium-Low
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| | Impact: |
Medium-Low
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| | Controversy: |
Medium
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About this outlook: An outlook is an internally consistent, plausible view of the future based on the best expertise available. It is not a prediction of the future. The AT-A-GLANCE ratings suggest the scope, scale, and uncertainty associated with this outlook. Each outlook is also a working document, with contributors adding comments and edits to improve the forecast over time. Please see the revision history for earlier versions.
