The lab-on-a-chip gets even closer

The whole idea of a smile pile of silicon that can replicate the work of entire laboratories and dozens of scientists in one fell swoop is nothing new, but recent advances at the Yale University in the US have brought the dream one step closer to

The whole idea of a smile pile of silicon that can replicate the work of entire laboratories and dozens of scientists in one fell swoop is nothing new, but recent advances at the Yale University in the US have brought the dream one step closer to reality. Professor Ronald Breaker has just developed a prototype bio-sensor chip the size of a dime that can detect the presence of a number of different elements - alone or mixed together.

The first test of the prototype including attempts to identify different strains of the E. Coli virus, all of which were successful. The chip is based around RNA, and even more basic building block than DNA. Previous lab-on-a-chip designs have used DNA for detection purposes, but then each chip must be purpose built to identify one thing - RNA can be configured into a multipurpose detector.

Future generations of bio-chips (and the term 'generation' has never been more applicable) could be capable of identifying the contents of toxic waste or contaminated blood, drugs and toxins, or even proteins and nucleic acids - truly a lab-on-a-chip. Such arrays work by having the RNA switches emit radiation or, in the future, light, if a particular element is present. Such technology could also be used to perhaps modify and regulate gene expression.

I've always wanted to recode my DNA into smiley faces instead of that boring spiral.
Breaker Laboratory