A recent article in Science Daily featured the work of Professor Albena Ivanisevic and her research team. The article, entitled "Purdue Researchers Stretch DNA On Chip, Lay Track For Future Computers" described the team's efforts to precisely place strands of DNA on a silicon chip and then stretch out the strands so that their encoded information might be read more clearly.

According to the article, although other researchers have deposited DNA onto similar templates, Ivanisevic is the first to demonstrate how to also stretch strands of DNA in specific locations on such templates, which contain features so small they are measured in nanometers. This step could lead to the ability to stretch DNA molecules in specific locations on electronic chips, which is critical in harnessing the storage capacity of DNA for future computers and electronic devices.

The complete article is available at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/10/031009063155.htm