Berkeley Lab has updated its “On the Way” list, which showcases ten research projects or technologies that are either starting up, moving along, or getting ready to deliver. The list first rolled out last year, and is intended to highlight how today’s science could lead to the solutions and discoveries of tomorrow. This year’s edition of the list included the Foundry’s Caroline Ajo-Franklin’s work to develop “cyborg cells with nanotubes.” Working with users from Lawrence Livermore National Lab, Foundry researchers have helped develop artificial “cyborg” pores made of short carbon nanotubes. These synthetic pores are far more rugged than their biological counterparts, and can self-insert into a cell membrane or other lipid bilayers. The technology could be useful for drug delivery systems, biosensors, and other applications where it’s important to control when and how a cell membrane is permeable.
