Tying Molecules In Knots

Med-trump writes "Scientists report that they have made a non-DNA molecular knot. They created a 160-atom-loop with five crossing points, a molecular pentafoil knot. The researchers used a technique known as 'self-assembly' to prepare the knot in a chemical reaction. Apparently 85% of the elasticity of natural rubber is due to knot-like entanglements in the rubber molecules' chains."

protein knots

[digitalderbs]

Actually naturally-occuring protein knots have been known for some time now. See knots.mit.edu [slashdot.org] for example. This appears to be one of the first synthetic knots.

"Why use quotes?"

[Anonymous Coward]

You do know that "self-assembly" isn't really a technique. That's like writing that Google updated their search algorithm using a technique known as "writing code". Self-assembly is just a term for things that assemble by themselves.