The week's In The News addresses a recent advancement in the scientific field of molecular nanotechnology. The scientists, Nadrian Seeman and colleagues, at New York University (NYU), have built a nano-robotic prototype from synthetic DNA. This recent major accomplishment was also reported in Nature, (Nature 397: 144-146, Jan. 14, 1999). This controllable molecular mechanical device has "two rigid...

Nanotechnology is the process of constructing devices from single atoms and molecules. Although it is relatively new to modern science, it is a rapidly growing industry, and advances are continually being made. Sandia National Laboratories is conducting several projects on various aspects of nanotechnology. Its Web site is a good starting point to learn the basics of nanotechnology and see videos...