In work that someday may lead to the development of novel types of nanoscale electronic devices, an interdisciplinary team of researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) has combined DNA's talent for self-assembly with the remarkable electronic properties of carbon nanotubes, thereby suggesting a solution to the long-standing problem of organizing carbon nanotubes into nanoscale electronic circuits.

Scientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and IBM's Almaden Research Center have developed a new technique to orient and position self-assembled DNA shapes and patterns—or "DNA origami"

IBM and California Institute of Technology scientists say they have achieved a major breakthrough that might result in smaller, more powerful semiconductors. The researchers said they have used a method called DNA origami to precisely arrange carbon nanotubes, nanowires and quantum dots into tiny structures, thereby producing the equivalent of a DNA circuit board that could form the basis of future computer chips. The inventor of DNA origami, Professor W.K.

MONTEREY, Calif. _ Renowned geneticist Craig Venter took the stage first. He was followed by a young scientist who has developed techniques for folding and manipulating DNA, who was followed by a British psychologist who studies memes _ ideas that spread.

Foresight Nanotech Institute, the leading think tank and public interest organization focused on nanotechnology, awarded prizes to leaders in research, communication and study in the field of nanotechnology at nanoTX '06 today.