Microchemomechanical devices using DNA hybridization

Zhu, Guolong; Hannel, Mark; Sha, Ruojie; Zhou, Feng; Ben Zion, Matan Yah; Zhang, Yin; Bishop, Kyle; Grier, David; Seeman, Nadrian; Chaikin, Paul

doi:10.1073/pnas.2023508118

DOE OSTI · 1783361

Microchemomechanical devices using DNA hybridization

Zhu, Guolong·Hannel, Mark·Sha, Ruojie·Zhou, Feng·Ben Zion, Matan Yah·Zhang, Yin·Bishop, Kyle·Grier, David·Seeman, Nadrian·Chaikin, Paul

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Abstract

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.

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37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS DNA nanotechnology colloidal physics microchemomechanical devices self-assembly soft condensed matter

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Zhu, Guolong, Hannel, Mark, Sha, Ruojie, Zhou, Feng, Ben Zion, Matan Yah, Zhang, Yin, Bishop, Kyle, Grier, David, Seeman, Nadrian, Chaikin, Paul. 2021-05-17. Microchemomechanical devices using DNA hybridization. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2023508118

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