Open AccessMicrochemomechanical devices using DNA hybridization
Author(s) -
Guolong Zhu,
Mark Hannel,
Ruojie Sha,
Feng Zhou,
Matan Yah Ben Zion,
Yin Zhang,
Kyle J. M. Bishop,
David G. Grier,
Nadrian C. Seeman,
P. M. Chaikin
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2023508118
Subject(s) - optical tweezers , bead , hinge , nanotechnology , dna origami , dna , materials science , oligonucleotide , holography , dna nanotechnology , tweezers , nanoscopic scale , substrate (aquarium) , chemistry , physics , optics , nanostructure , biology , composite material , ecology , biochemistry , classical mechanics
Significance With simple DNA origami lever arms arranged in hinges and accordion structures, we amplify the nanometer displacements from DNA hairpin zippers to 4-μm motion, easily observable and quantified in real space and real time with conventional optical microscopy. Mechanically pulling a bead tethered on the accordion end, we measure high-energy recovery and retraction speeds up to 50 μm/s. On longer time scales, we have also opened and closed the hinges with light and heat. DNA nanotechnology, and particularly DNA origami, combined with colloids and emulsions can provide powerful architectures. The present study is a step toward activating such colloidal/cellular scale devices using DNA as a power source/fuel. We envision artificial active flagella, cilia, micropumps, and other cellular scale devices.