Researchers led by Bernard Yurke at Bell Labs (a division of Alcatel-Lucent) discovered a sequence of DNA that acts like a motor. In their research, they put three specific strands of DNA into a test tube, forming a tweezer-like structure of two strands and a hinge. A specially designed "fuel strand" is added to the test tube, binding to the two ends of the tweezers to bring them closer together. The fuel strand's complementary strand is added to the test tube to open the hinge. The thermodynamic change that occurs is akin to a molecular motor. Yurke is now exploring ways to attach the DNA strands to molecules that conduct electricity as a way of creating superminiaturized circuitry.

Harvard genetics professor George Church, who directs the Center for Computational Genetics, says that DNA computing is now "directed at a practical interface with biomedicine, rather than losing an abstract race with existing computers on their own turf." Church's interest in DNA self-assembly is proof enough that the field is hot. Along with Walter Gilbert, Church developed the first direct DNA sequencing method in 1984, which launched the Human Genome Project. In 2005, he initiated the Personal Genome Project. Recently, he helped found Codon Devices, a biotech startup in Cambridge, Massachusetts, engaged in synthetic biology. The company is poised to market the first commercial piece of DNA origami--a nanorod for membrane-protein structure determination.

"DNA-directed self-assembly represents a general purpose form of nano-manufacturing technology that could be used across a broad range of markets and applications, including electronics, medicine, energy, sensors, materials, etc," Sims says. Although he plans for NanoEngineer-1 to remain open source, he anticipates that commercial plug-ins will be developed and sold by Nanorex and other companies. He may also enter into joint ventures with the users of NanoEngineer-1.

Sims' business strategy may sound odd, but his software could turn out to be indispensable for future molecular engineers. His philosophy might be something like this: If you show them how to build it, they will come.

Lori Andrews, a Chicago law professor and novelist, chaired the federal ethics advisory commission to the Human Genome Project. In her latest novel, IMMUNITY, a DNA computer helps solve the crime.

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