Scientists are testing encapsulated molecules that unzip and spring into action when triggered to do so.
A sheath of biocompatible polymer shrouds the biologically active material inside, preventing any interaction so long as the shield remains in place.
The smart aspect is in the DNA-based zippers that hold the coat in place. Because any DNA code (or “molecular cipher”) can be chosen, the release mechanism can be bar-coded so that it is triggered by a specific biomarker—for example a message from a disease gene.
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