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Multi-fueled approach to DNA nano-robotics

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Abstract

An approach to multi-fueled DNA nano-robotics is described. We propose three types of driving force (i.e., fuel for DNA nano-robots): thermal fuel, pH fuel, and light fuel. The thermal fuel controls the hybridization of DNA molecules around the melting temperature. The pH fuel controls the hybridization of the so-called i-motif by changing the pH condition. The light fuel controls the hybridization of DNA oligomers that are intercalated with azobenzene by irradiation with UV or visible light. These three fuels are not mutually exclusive. However, experimental conditions for the fueling of DNA nano-robots show efficacy. Concrete ideas for using these three fuel types are proposed and discussed. In addition, the results of calibration experiments and preliminary results for refining pH fuel sequence are also shown.

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Abbreviations

BHQ2:

Stands for Black Hole Quencher type2

RG:

Stands for Rhodamine Green fluorescence group

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics, Fuji University, 450-3 Shimoneko, Hanamaki, Iwate, 025-8501, Japan

    Akio Nishikawa

  2. Core Research for Evolution Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan

    Satsuki Yaegashi, Fumiaki Tanaka, Kazumasa Ohtake & Masami Hagiya

  3. Department of Computer Science, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan

    Fumiaki Tanaka & Masami Hagiya

  4. Department of Biochemistry, University of Tokyo, 2-11-16 Yayoi, Tokyo, 113-0032, Japan

    Kazumasa Ohtake

Authors
  1. Akio Nishikawa
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  2. Satsuki Yaegashi
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  3. Fumiaki Tanaka
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  4. Kazumasa Ohtake
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  5. Masami Hagiya
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Correspondence to Akio Nishikawa.

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Nishikawa, A., Yaegashi, S., Tanaka, F. et al. Multi-fueled approach to DNA nano-robotics. Nat Comput 7, 371–383 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11047-008-9075-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11047-008-9075-y

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