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Tuesday, 28th June 2005 (6038 views)

Chinese scientists have discovered a new way to improve genetic testing results - by using gold nanoparticles.<br/><br/>According to the scientist, gold nanoparticles bind more strongly to single strand DNA and therefore fewer errors occur in polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the basis for modern genetic testing.<br/><br/>PCR involves genetic material in the form of double DNA strands being separated into single strands, a segment to be examined is then marked with a short synthetic piece of single stranded DNA, according to Nanotechnology Now.<br/><br/>Following this an enzyme then copies the strand building block-by-block and splits DNA into single strands over and over again, doubling the amount of DNA.<br/><br/>Although errors can take place, Chunhai Fan, Jun Hu, Zhizhou Zhang and their team found gold particles improve results and allow smaller samples to be used in the first place.<br/><br/>One example where PCR is used is murder cases where flakes of skin under a fingernail could be enough needed to reveal the culprit, by genetic material being studied and then linked to other known samples.<br/><br/>In addition, PCR also helps in the identification and quantification of pathogens.<br/><br/>At present the effect of the nanogold particles is not completely understood.<img alt="track" src="http://directnews.dehavilland.co.uk/dn.gif?feedid=196&itemid=16039985"/>

 

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