New DNA origami motor breaks speed record for nano machines

Sixteen strands of DNA, stacked four-by-four, form the beam-shaped "chassis" of the DNA motor (in gray). Bits of DNA (in green) protrude from the chassis like little feet. The motor is fueled by RNA laid on a track. The RNA binds with the DNA feet on the bottom face of the chassis. An enzyme targeting bound RNA then destroys these RNA molecules (grey and red). The process repeats, as more RNA pulls the DNA feet, tipping the chassis forward, causing it to roll. (Stephanie Jones, bio-illustrations.com) 

Through a technique known as DNA origami, scientists have created the fastest, most persistent DNA nano motor yet. Angewandte Chemie published the findings, which provide a blueprint for how to optimize the design of motors at the nanoscale — hundreds of times smaller than the typical human cell.

“Nanoscale motors have tremendous potential for applications in biosensing, in building synthetic cells and also for molecular robotics,” says Khalid Salaita, a senior author of the paper and a professor of chemistry at Emory University. “DNA origami allowed us to tinker with the structure of the motor and tease out the design parameters that control its properties.”

The new DNA motor is rod-shaped and uses RNA fuel to roll persistently in a straight line, without human intervention, at speeds up to 100 nanometers per minute. That’s up to 10 times faster than previous DNA motors.

Read the full story here.

Related:
DNA origami takes flight in emerging field of nano machines
Nano machines take speedy leap forward with first rolling DNA-based motor

from eScienceCommons https://ift.tt/39m1qxp

Sixteen strands of DNA, stacked four-by-four, form the beam-shaped "chassis" of the DNA motor (in gray). Bits of DNA (in green) protrude from the chassis like little feet. The motor is fueled by RNA laid on a track. The RNA binds with the DNA feet on the bottom face of the chassis. An enzyme targeting bound RNA then destroys these RNA molecules (grey and red). The process repeats, as more RNA pulls the DNA feet, tipping the chassis forward, causing it to roll. (Stephanie Jones, bio-illustrations.com) 

Through a technique known as DNA origami, scientists have created the fastest, most persistent DNA nano motor yet. Angewandte Chemie published the findings, which provide a blueprint for how to optimize the design of motors at the nanoscale — hundreds of times smaller than the typical human cell.

“Nanoscale motors have tremendous potential for applications in biosensing, in building synthetic cells and also for molecular robotics,” says Khalid Salaita, a senior author of the paper and a professor of chemistry at Emory University. “DNA origami allowed us to tinker with the structure of the motor and tease out the design parameters that control its properties.”

The new DNA motor is rod-shaped and uses RNA fuel to roll persistently in a straight line, without human intervention, at speeds up to 100 nanometers per minute. That’s up to 10 times faster than previous DNA motors.

Read the full story here.

Related:
DNA origami takes flight in emerging field of nano machines
Nano machines take speedy leap forward with first rolling DNA-based motor

from eScienceCommons https://ift.tt/39m1qxp