Thursday, August 6, 2020

Sunscreen could be made from DNA?

Sunscreen has always been used as a way to protect a persons skin from harsh sun rays. It can help one avoid getting sunburn and protect the skin cells from damage. Scientists are looking into a new way of creating sunscreen that includes the use of DNA. With this new sunscreen you would not have to reapply as often and it protects the skin from the suns harmful ray. One of the biochemist teams would work with thin layers or films of DNA to see how it reacts with the sun. The other ordered DNA from a company that provides various species of DNA. They obtained DNA from the sperm cells of a salmon and mixed it with water and ethanol. The mix was spread on a surface to dry and then arranged into a thin film. They tested 2 broad spectra of the UV rays from the sun, which includes UVA and UVB. The film made from the salmon DNA absorbed most of both the UV rays. The absorption keeps the light from reaching any skin cells below.

2 comments:

  1. This would be a great way to prevent skin cancers due to the sun! If the light can't reach the skin cells below, there's less of a chance that they will become damaged.

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  2. I think this could be great if it works. A lot of sunscreens are known to pollute the ocean and kill coral reefs. This could be a great alternative.

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