(Image source: Reproduction / National Science Foundation)

According to a report from the US National Science Foundation, a group of scientists from Parabon NanoLabs has developed a new technology that allows for the creation and testing of new drugs much faster and more accurately than traditional clinical trials. To this end, the researchers developed a computer-aided design (CAD) platform for custom drug manufacturing through 3D printing.

According to the publication, the researchers used the design platform called inSequio to combat a type of brain cancer. So the scientists used the simple drag-and-drop command in the software to create a specific and very precise drug from certain molecules that, when combined, would search for cancer cells to attack and destroy them. .

Drag and drop

The researchers first selected which characteristics the new drug should exhibit and then used a superplatform to identify DNA sequences capable of assembling the necessary components. Later, using technologies for nanoscale manufacturing - or 3D printers -, scientists were able to produce trillions of copies of the molecules that make up the drugs.

The procedure allows new drugs to be developed and produced in just a few weeks - or even days - unlike conventional methods, which can take years. And in addition to medical applications, researchers believe the new technology could also be employed in the creation of molecular nanosensors and nanoscale logic circuits.