South West

Machines built from DNA

Jonathan Bath (University of Oxford)

Synthetic molecular machinery can be built from DNA. This research is inspired by biological systems in which individual molecules act, singly and in concert, as specialized machines. DNA nanomachines are made by self-assembly, using techniques that rely on the sequence-specific interactions that bind complementary strands together in a double helix. They can be triggered by interactions with specific signalling molecules or by changes in their environment. Devices that change state in response to an external trigger might be used for molecular sensing, intelligent drug delivery or programmable chemical synthesis. Biological molecular motors that carry cargoes in cells have inspired the construction of rudimentary DNA walkers that run along self-assembled tracks. It is even possible to create DNA motors that move autonomously, obtaining energy by catalyzing the reaction of DNA or RNA fuels.

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