Biomod/2013/Fukuoka
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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
Background
- 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.
Problems
- 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.
Approaches
- 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.
Results and Disscution
- Fig.1 shows the AFM image of the synthesized DNA-weathercock. We observe many small objects, while we also find some aggregated large objects. On the enlarged AFM image (Fig.2), the object with the shape similar to the DNA origami designed with caDNAno (Fig.3) was observed. The Fig.4 is the cross-sectional view for the green line on Fig.2. While the size of the designed object has the length of 28 nm, width of 20 nm and the height 17 nm, the observed image is mostly in the same size.
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fig.1 AFM image of the synthesized DNA-weathercock
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fig.2 the enlarged AFM image
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fig.3 designed with caDNAno
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fig.4 cross-sectional view for the green line on Fig.2
Member
Students
- Maika Kuroki
- Shinya Anraku
- Ryo Iwashita
- Eiji Horita
Adviser
- Naoya Yamaguchi
Professor
- Hazime Mita
- Nobuyoshi Miyamoto
Sponsor
