LEGO Robot Accelerates DNA Purification for Nanostructures

Bioengineers at Arizona State University have developed a LEGO robot as a gradient mixer to purify DNA origami nanostructures. The mixer, made using off-the-shelf LEGO kits, spins material inside cylindrical tubes to create a gradient. The robot performed as well as commercial versions but at a lower cost. The researchers suggest that this approach could be used to create other expensive lab machines.