These programmable DNA nanobots can make new things and replicate infinitely
When it comes to making big things humanity's great, but we're getting better at creating things at the nanoscale too and pushing the boundaries of scifi.
Key takeaways
- The DNA robots, according to New Scientist, are created using just four strands of DNA, and measure just 100 nanometers across, so about a thousand of them could squeeze up into a line the width of a human hair.
- Is this what living through the Singularity feels like? Source: Science Robotics
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2023) 'These programmable DNA nanobots can make new things and replicate infinitely', 311 Institute, 10 December. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/these-new-dna-nanobots-can-make-new-things-and-replicate-themselves-infinitely/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
In a world first, and another step towards realising the ambition of creating programmable matter, researchers have demonstrated a programmable nanobot, made from a few strands of DNA, that's capable of grabbing other snippets of DNA, and positioning them together to create new nano-machines and even make copies of themselves.
The DNA robots, according to New Scientist, are created using just four strands of DNA, and measure just 100 nanometers across, so about a thousand of them could squeeze up into a line the width of a human hair.
The team, from New York University, the Ningbo Cixi Institute of Biomechanical Engineering, and The Chinese Academy of Sciences, says the robots surpass previous efforts, which were only able to assemble pieces into two-dimensional shapes. The new bots are able to use "multiple-axis precise folding and positioning" to "access the third dimension and more degrees of freedom."
These nanobots are often viewed as potential ways of manufacturing drugs, enzymes and other chemicals, potentially inside the cells of the body. But the researchers specifically call out the fact that these machines can "self-replicate their entire 3D structure and functions."
They're not entirely self-contained though, the robots, while "programmable," act in response to externally controlled temperature and UV light, and they require that UV light to "weld" the pieces of DNA they're assembling together. But that’s it as far as external influences go.
One other thing standing between humanity and the great Gray Goo apocalypse at this point is the fact that they can't make copies of themselves – or indeed, anything else – without adequate supplies of the precise snippets of DNA they need.
Still, it's pretty incredible stuff, and a glimpse into the possibilities that are rushing toward us at breakneck pace. Is this what living through the Singularity feels like?
Source: Science Robotics
FAQ
Why does this matter?
When it comes to making big things humanity's great, but we're getting better at creating things at the nanoscale too and pushing the boundaries of scifi.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- 2406181 dna nanobots can exponentially self replicate newscientist.com
- the great Gray Goo apocalypse science.howstuffworks.com
- Scirobotics.adf1274 science.org
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 10 December 2023. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2023). These programmable DNA nanobots can make new things and replicate infinitely. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/these-new-dna-nanobots-can-make-new-things-and-replicate-themselves-infinitely/
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