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Must-see video on nature’s nanotechnology

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From scientific animation company XVIVO in collaboration with Harvard comes an 8-minute video showing nature’s nanotechnology: molecular machinery of the cell, in action:



It’s a preview of the nanotech of the future, and it looks like science fiction. No surprise there.

As you watch, keep in mind two points: in reality, (1) these structures are also engaging in a lot more random motion, and (2) they are packed closer together. But showing those features would make it hard for us to understand what is happening.

Here’s a version I’d like to see: the addition of labels and — while the music is lovely — an audio explanation of what we’re seeing.

But the current version is great too. (Source: CRN) —Christine

6 Responses to “Must-see video on nature’s nanotechnology”

  1. AST Says:

    But doesn’t the word “technology” imply intelligent design? What are the chances that this whole mechanism self-assembled? The whole question makes me tired. It’s like arguing about whether there are other civilizations in the Universe. Scientifically, we have to assume there isn’t, because we have no evidence to the contrary.

    The spooling and looping of the DNA molecule along so as to allow individual genes to be expressed without unwinding the whole molecule is elegant and, one is tempted to say, ingenious. But we live in a scientific world where it is agreed that no intelligent beings could possibly have seeded life here.

  2. Matt Arnold Says:

    Christine, I am proud to report that when you join us at Penguicon in April, we plan to feature a showing of the full 8-minute film, with pauses and rewinds for microbiologists to explain what we are seeing and answer questions from the audience.

  3. folleyball Says:

    Ode to the Creator

    Nano-scientists have created an animation showing the nanotechnology involved in the “machinery of the cell.”
    Who could have designed such a complex system at such a small, or shall I say nano level?
    HT: Instapundit

  4. Manuela Says:

    :) “nature’s nanotechnology” :) Indeed.

  5. Mario Di Maggio Says:

    No, no, no – “technology” does not necessarily imply intelligent design eg complex crystal structures (like snowflakes) are formed from the geometric assemblage of atoms and molecules; beautiful rock scultpures are formed by wind and sand, etc, etc. Likewise, as far as we can tell, the complexity of life formed gradually over 3 600 000 000 years of evolution by natural selection.

    Why are people so scared to live on this planet without belief in an ‘alpha male in the sky’? Why do they need to believe in something invisible for which there is not the slightest bit of hard evidence?

    Why, why, why do people insist in being so insecure, illogical and pathetic?

    Now those are the questions that make me tired!

  6. Mohanan, Says:

    Basic nature of all living beings ( animals) is fear , sex, and anger. IQ, EQ and SQ ( spiritual quotient) of Body, mind, and Intellect are the root cause of “Why do people are like what you said…”
    While all creatures and plants follow and live with the laws of nature, human race always found working against the law of nature!! So we are like what we had been, are , and will be.

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