Imma Perfetto
Cosmos science journalist
A nanoscale “dinosaur” built using the new technique, imaged using the Thermo Glacios cryo-electron microscope at the University of Sydney Microscopy and Microanalysis facility. The object – just 250 nanometres wide – was created as a proof of principle object in research by Dr Minh Tri Lu and Dr Shelley Wickham from the University of Sydney Nano Institute.
Researchers in the field of molecular robotics have created programmable, 3-dimensional nanoscale objects – such as a nano-dinosaur, dancing robot, and a mini-Australia – using “DNA origami”.
“We’ve created a new class of nanomaterials with adjustable properties,” says Dr Minh Tri Luu of the University of Sydney in Australia, first author of the Science Robotics paper.
“[This will enable] diverse applications – from adaptive materials that change optical properties in response to the environment to autonomous nanorobots designed to … destroy cancer cells.”
DNA origami is a technique that folds DNA into complex 2- and 3D shapes at the nanometre scale.
The innovative new approach creates DNA origami “voxels” that can be assembled like 3D building blocks into complex structures. This is made possible by the additional DNA strands on the exteriors of the voxels, which act like programmable binding sites to link them.
“These sites act like Velcro with different colours – designed so that only strands with matching ‘colours’ (complementary DNA sequences) can connect,” says Luu.
He says this allows precise control over how voxels bind to each other, enabling the creation of customisable, highly specific architectures.
The potential applications of this technology are wide-ranging.
These new materials could be used to create nanoscale robotic boxes designed to spring open only in response to specific biological signals. These could be capable of delivering drugs directly to targeted areas within the body, to enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatments while minimising side effects.
The research team is also exploring developing new materials that are capable of changing properties in response to different environmental signals. For example, such materials could be made to alter their structures based on changes in temperature or pH levels.
“This work enables us to imagine a world where nanobots can get to work on a huge range of tasks, from treating the human body to building futuristic electronic devices,” says Dr Shelley Wickham, who leads the research team at the University of Sydney.
