A DNA-based nanorobotic arm connected to a base plate through a flexible joint can be used to store and release mechanical energy. The joint acts as a torsion spring that is wound up by rotating the arm using external electric fields and is released using a high-frequency electrical pulse.
References
Rothemund, P. W. K. Folding DNA to create nanoscale shapes and patterns. Nature 440, 297–302 (2006). This paper introduces the DNA origami technique to build DNA constructs.
Dey, S. et al. DNA origami. Nat. Rev. Methods Primers 1, 1–24 (2021). A review article that describes the principles and advances of the DNA origami technique.
Marras, A. E., Zhou, L., Su, H. J. & Castro, C. E. Programmable motion of DNA origami mechanisms. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. 112, 713–718 (2015). This paper demonstrates how to build basic machine elements from DNA.
Kopperger, E. et al. A self-assembled nanoscale robotic arm controlled by electric fields. Science 359, 296–301 (2018). This paper describes electric actuation of DNA constructs.
Additional information
Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
This is a summary of: Vogt, M. et al. Storage of mechanical energy in DNA nanorobotics using molecular torsion springs. Nat. Phys. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-023-01938-3 (2023).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
A DNA-based nanorobotic arm driven by a molecular wind-up motor. Nat. Phys. 19, 626–627 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-023-01951-6
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-023-01951-6
- Springer Nature Limited