DNA Walkers as Transport Vehicles of Nanoparticles Along a Carbon Nanotube Track

Moving dynamics of a nanorobot with three DNA legs on nanopore-based tracks

DNA nanorobots have garnered increasing attention in recent years due to their unique advantages of modularity and algorithm simplicity. To accomplish specific tasks in complex environments, various walking strategies are required for the DNA legs of the nanorobot. In this paper, we employ computational simulations to investigate a well-designed DNA-legged nanorobot moving along a nanopore-based track on a planar membrane. The nanorobot consists of a large nanoparticle as the robot core and three single-stranded DNAs (ssDNAs) as the robot legs. The nanopores linearly embedded in the membrane serve as the toeholds for the robot legs. A charge gradient along the pore distribution mainly powers the activation of the nanorobot. The nanorobot can move in two modes: a walking mode, where the robot legs sequentially enter the nanopores, and a jumping mode, where the robot legs may skip a nanopore to reach the next one. Moreover, we observe that the moving dynamics of the nanorobot on the nanopore-based tracks depends on pore-pore distance, pore charge gradient, external voltage, and leg length.

Steric Communication between Dynamic Components on DNA Nanodevices

Biomolecular nanotechnology has helped emulate basic robotic capabilities such as defined motion, sensing, and actuation in synthetic nanoscale systems. DNA origami is an attractive approach for nanorobotics, as it enables creation of devices with complex geometry, programmed motion, rapid actuation, force application, and various kinds of sensing modalities. Advanced robotic functions like feedback control, autonomy, or programmed routines also require the ability to transmit signals among subcomponents. Prior work in DNA nanotechnology has established approaches for signal transmission, for example through diffusing strands or structurally coupled motions. However, soluble communication is often slow and structural coupling of motions can limit the function of individual components, for example to respond to the environment. Here, we introduce an approach inspired by protein allostery to transmit signals between two distal dynamic components through steric interactions. These components undergo separate thermal fluctuations where certain conformations of one arm will sterically occlude conformations of the distal arm. We implement this approach in a DNA origami device consisting of two stiff arms each connected to a base platform via a flexible hinge joint. We demonstrate the ability for one arm to sterically regulate both the range of motion and the conformational state (latched or freely fluctuating) of the distal arm, results that are quantitatively captured by mesoscopic simulations using experimentally informed energy landscapes for hinge-angle fluctuations. We further demonstrate the ability to modulate signal transmission by mechanically tuning the range of thermal fluctuations and controlling the conformational states of the arms. Our results establish a communication mechanism well-suited to transmit signals between thermally fluctuating dynamic components and provide a path to transmitting signals where the input is a dynamic response to parameters like force or solution conditions.

Dynamic DNA Assemblies in Biomedical Applications

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) has been widely used to construct homogeneous structures with increasing complexity for biological and biomedical applications due to their powerful functionalities. Especially, dynamic DNA assemblies (DDAs) have demonstrated the ability to simulate molecular motions and fluctuations in bionic systems. DDAs, including DNA robots, DNA probes, DNA nanochannels, DNA templates, etc., can perform structural transformations or predictable behaviors in response to corresponding stimuli and show potential in the fields of single molecule sensing, drug delivery, molecular assembly, etc. A wave of exploration of the principles in designing and usage of DDAs has occurred, however, knowledge on these concepts is still limited. Although some previous reviews have been reported, systematic and detailed reviews are rare. To achieve a better understanding of the mechanisms in DDAs, herein, the recent progress on the fundamental principles regarding DDAs and their applications are summarized. The relative assembly principles and computer-aided software for their designing are introduced. The advantages and disadvantages of each software are discussed. The motional mechanisms of the DDAs are classified into exogenous and endogenous stimuli-triggered responses. The special dynamic behaviors of DDAs in biomedical applications are also summarized. Moreover, the current challenges and future directions of DDAs are proposed.

A review on optical imaging of DNA nanostructures and dynamic processes

DNA self-assembly offers a powerful means to construct complex nanostructures and program dynamic molecular processes such as strand displacement. DNA nanosystems pack high structural complexity in a small scale (typically, <100 nm) and span dynamic features over long periods of time, which bring new challenges for characterizations. The spatial and temporal features of DNA nanosystems require novel experimental methods capable of high resolution imaging over long time periods. This article reviews recent advances in optical imaging methods for characterizing self-assembled DNA nanosystems, with particular emphasis on super-resolved fluorescence microscopy. Several advanced strategies are developed to obtain accurate and detailed images of intricate DNA nanogeometries and to perform precise tracking of molecular motions in dynamic processes. We present state-of-the-art instruments and imaging strategies including localization microscopy and spectral imaging. We discuss how they are used in biological studies and biomedical applications, and also provide current challenges and future outlook. Overall, this review serves as a practical guide in optical microscopy for the field of DNA nanotechnology.