Abstract

Recent years, the technology of DNA origami is attracting keen interest for the synthesis of various nanostructures. If we integrate movable structures in a DNA origami, various applications such as molecular detection devices, molecular motor devices, and drug delivery systems are expected. However, only a few examples of such a movable system have been reported so far. Other problem is that the synthesis of DNA origami in larger amount is not so easy. Hence, it is unrealistic to make the macroscopic-scale device which output or input macroscopic signalｓ such as a mechanical one, only by using DNA origamis. Therefore, in this study, we tried to fabricate the device in which an inorganic porous substrate is combined with DNA origami. We synthesize the DNA-origami-based “DNA weathercock” which has a shaft, a blade, and a fluorescence molecule. We then attach the weathercock onto an inorganic porous substrate (anodizing alumina) with regularly arranged perpendicular pores, so that the weathercock can freely rotate. We incorporate fluorescence quencher molecules on to a part of the substrate, so that the device emits fluorescence only when the liquid on the substrate flows along a specific direction.

Introduction

Recently, DNA origami are attracting attentions. DNA-origami is the programmable nanostructure which is synthesized by weaving a very long single strand DNA with a large number of short single strand DNAs, just like the weft of the textile. While the technique originally allowed us to form flat nanostructures, we can recently fabricate complicated three-dimensional nanostructures with bent parts like a bird cage.

However, only a few examples of a DNA-origami system with a movable part in themselves have been reported so far. It is also a problem that the synthesis of DNA origami in a large amount is not so easy, the creation of the macroscopic-scale device only with DNA origami which output or input the macroscopic signals such as a mechanical one.

In this study, we tried to fabricate the device in which an inorganic porous substrate is combined with DNA origami. We synthesize the DNA-origami-based “DNA weathercock” which has a shaft, a blade, and a fluorescence molecule We then attach the weathercock onto the inorganic porous substrate (anodizing alumina) with regularly arranged perpendicular pores, so that the weathercock can freely rotate. We incorporate fluorescence quencher molecules on to a part of the substrate, so that the device emits fluorescence only when the liquid on the substrate flows along a specific direction.

We compared to design this shape. An enlarged view portion surrounded by a blue figure on the left is the figure on the right.(Fig.1) Of irregular shape similar to DNA origami design was observed. The figure below is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the green line in the right figure. The size of the design is Length 28 nm, Side 20 nm and Height 17 nm. Cross-sectional view of the observed image is Length about 30 nm, Side about 21 nm, Height 2.3 nm. Diameter is almost the same but height is not match. It is seems to be because the base pairs of the DNA with each other are aggregated.