An autonomous polymerization motor powered by DNA hybridization.
We present a synthetic molecular motor capable of autonomous nanoscale transport in solution. Inspired by bacterial pathogens such as Rickettsia rickettsii, which locomote by inducing the polymerization of the protein actin at their surfaces to form 'comet tails', the motor operates by polymerizing a double-helical DNA tail2. DNA strands are propelled processively at the living end of the growing polymers, demonstrating autonomous locomotion powered by the free energy of DNA hybridization.
Venkataraman
Suvir
S
Dirks
Robert M
RM
Rothemund
Paul W K
PW
Winfree
Erik
E
Pierce
Niles A
NA
D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004735:Energy Transfer; D008422:Materials Testing; D009038:Motion; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*
D011108:Polymers; D004247:DNA