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Genetic Tool may Be Able to Purify Drinking Water
Developed by engineers from Duke University, the relatively new technology is known as RNA interference (RNAi).
In a series of proof-of-concept experiments, Duke University engineers demonstrated that short strands of genetic material could successfully target a matching portion of a gene in a common fungus found in water and make it stop working.
If this new approach can be perfected, the researchers believe that it could serve as the basis for a device to help solve the problem of safe drinking water in Third World countries without water treatment facilities.
"We envision creating a system based on RNAi technology that would look from the outside just like the water filters commonly used now," said Claudia Gunsch, assistant professor of civil engineering at Duke's Pratt School of Engineering.
"This approach would be especially attractive in less industrialized countries without water treatment systems. This 'point-of-use' strategy would allow these countries to make safe water without the expense of water purification infrastructure," she added.
RNAi makes use of short snippets of genetic material that match - like a lock and key - a corresponding segment of a gene in the target. When these snippets enter a cell and attach to the corresponding segment, they can inhibit or block the action of the target gene.
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