FIGHTING CANCER WITH NANOBOTS
Miniature robots from Arizona State University destroy tumours by cutting off their blood supply
1 DNA SHEETS
Flat, rectangular sheets of DNA form the basic scaffolding of the nanobots.
2 THROMBIN
The sheets carry a protein called thrombin, which causes blood to clot.
3 ORIGAMI
The DNA folds over to form a tube around the thrombin.
4 HOMING SIGNAL
Fragments of DNA at the edges of the sheet guide the nanobots to molecules found on the surface of cancer cells.
5 INSIDE THE BODY
Each nanobot measures just 60 nanometres in length, allowing it to fit easily into tiny blood vessels.
6 TROJAN HORSE
When the nanobots reach the tumour they uncurl, revealing the thrombin proteins hidden inside.
7 CLOTTING BEGINS
The blood starts to clot around the nanobots, sticking together to form a solid plug.
8 TISSUE DAMAGE
Within 24 hours, the clot blocks the blood supply to the tumour, killing the cancer cells.