Scientists have engineered a nanoscale turbine fashioned from DNA origami, capable of altering its rotational direction based on ion concentrations. This innovation has significant implications for precise drug delivery at the cellular level and harnessing energy from salt gradients. Acknowledgment: Laboratory of Cees Dekker / SciXel
Researchers have unveiled a transformative development in nanomotor technology, known as the DNA origami nanoturbine. This minuscule apparatus could signal a major shift in the field, using the ionic or electrical potential across a solid-state nanopore to energize its mechanical rotations. Central to this groundbreaking innovation is the conceptualization, assembly, and controlled movement of a DNA origami turbine that incorporates three chiral blades and operates within a minuscule frame of 25 nanometers, situated in a solid-state nanopore. By adeptly creating dual chiral turbines, the scientific team can now control the rotational direction, be it clockwise or anticlockwise.
“We have successfully engineered nanoturbines that can drive our intended processes,” stated Dr. Xin Shi.
Table of Contents
Nanoturbines as Catalysts for Progress
Turbines driven by flow have been instrumental in powering transformative machinery that has impacted society, from wind turbines to aviation technology. Even essential biological functions, such as the FoF1-ATP synthase that produces cellular fuel and the bacterial flagella motor, rely on turbines.
Dr. Shi elaborated, “Our nanoturbine features a rotor with a 25-nanometer diameter, constructed from DNA material. The blades are engineered to possess either a right-handed or left-handed orientation, enabling control over rotational direction. The assembly operates in a strong water flow, which is modulated by either an electric field or a differential in salt concentration, emanating from a nanopore in a thin membrane. We have used this turbine to propel a rigid rod at speeds up to 10 revolutions per second.”
Novel Rotational Behavior of the DNA Origami Nanoturbine
Among the standout aspects of this research is the distinct rotational behavior of the DNA origami nanoturbine. Its rotation is influenced by the concentration of Na+ ions in the solution, a feature unique to nanoscale mechanisms, resulting from the complex interactions among ions, water, and DNA.
This research, which has been meticulously corroborated by molecular dynamics simulations conducted by Aleksei Aksimentiev’s group at the University of Illinois and theoretical models from Ramin Golestanian at MPI Göttingen, promises to broaden the scope of nanotechnology applications. For instance, future possibilities include the creation of DNA-origami-based nanomachines capable of targeted drug delivery.
The Underlying DNA Origami Methodology
Cees Dekker, the research supervisor, commented on their approach, “In collaboration with Hendrik Dietz’s lab at the Technical University of Munich, we leveraged insights from our prior work on DNA rotary motors to construct a turbine with full control over its design and function. The DNA origami technique exploits specific interactions between complementary DNA bases to assemble dynamic 3D nanostructures. This design permits control over the turbine’s rotational direction in our nanopores and facilitates its seamless integration with other nanoscale machinery.”
The Trajectory of Active Transmembrane Nanomachines
This accomplishment builds upon last year’s debut of the DNA active nanorotor, a self-assembling device capable of converting energy from electrical or salt gradients into utilitarian mechanical work. Dr. Xin Shi reflected on their progress, stating, “We have revealed the core principles for propelling a nanoscale rotor using water and salt in nanopores. This year’s development, guided by deliberate design, marks the subsequent chapter of our endeavor. The basic principles from our earlier publication, coupled with the advances in this study, pave the way for future biomimetic transmembrane machines, potentially drawing energy from salt gradients, a crucial energy resource used by biological motors.”
Reference: “A DNA turbine powered by a transmembrane potential across a nanopore” by Xin Shi, Anna-Katharina Pumm, Christopher Maffeo, Fabian Kohler, Elija Feigl, Wenxuan Zhao, Daniel Verschueren, Ramin Golestanian, Aleksei Aksimentiev, Hendrik Dietz, and Cees Dekker, published on 26 October 2023 in Nature Nanotechnology.
DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01527-8
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about DNA Origami Nanoturbine
What is the main innovation discussed in the article?
The article focuses on the groundbreaking development of a DNA origami nanoturbine. This is a nanoscale turbine capable of changing its rotational direction based on ion concentrations. The technology has significant implications for drug delivery at the cellular level and for harnessing energy from salt gradients.
Who are the main contributors to this research?
The research has been conducted by a collaborative team led by Dr. Xin Shi and supervised by Cees Dekker. Other contributors include scientists from Hendrik Dietz’s lab at the Technical University of Munich, Aleksei Aksimentiev’s group at the University of Illinois, and Ramin Golestanian at MPI Göttingen.
What makes the DNA origami nanoturbine unique?
The DNA origami nanoturbine is unique for its ability to alter its rotational behavior based on ion concentration, specifically Na+ ions. This feature is a result of the complex interactions between ions, water, and DNA, and is exclusive to nanoscale mechanisms.
How does the nanoturbine operate?
The nanoturbine features a rotor with a 25-nanometer diameter, constructed from DNA material. The rotor blades can be oriented in a right-handed or left-handed fashion, enabling control over the turbine’s rotational direction. It operates within a strong water flow, modulated by either an electric field or a differential in salt concentration, emanating from a nanopore in a thin membrane.
What are the potential applications of this technology?
The technology holds promise in the fields of precise drug delivery at the cellular level and in harnessing energy from salt gradients. It paves the way for creating DNA-origami-based nanomachines capable of targeted drug delivery and other advanced nanotechnological applications.
What methodology was used in constructing the DNA origami nanoturbine?
The ‘DNA origami’ technique was used, exploiting specific interactions between complementary DNA bases to assemble dynamic 3D nano-objects. This allows for full control over the turbine’s design and function, including its rotational direction.
What prior developments led to this breakthrough?
This research builds upon last year’s introduction of the DNA active nanorotor, a self-assembling device capable of converting energy from electrical or salt gradients into utilitarian mechanical work. The foundational principles from the earlier work, combined with the innovations in the current study, set the stage for the future of biomimetic transmembrane machines.
Where was the research published?
The research was published on 26 October 2023 in the journal Nature Nanotechnology. The DOI for the paper is 10.1038/s41565-023-01527-8.
More about DNA Origami Nanoturbine
- Nature Nanotechnology Journal
- University of Illinois Research Groups
- Technical University of Munich – Hendrik Dietz Lab
- MPI Göttingen
- Overview of DNA Origami Technique
- Nanoscale Rotors Constructed From DNA
- Biomimetic Transmembrane Machines
- FoF1-ATP Synthase: The Biological Motor
10 comments
DNA origami huh? Sounds fancy and it’s not just for show, it’s groundbreaking. i cant wait to see where this goes next.
Honestly, the fact that the rotation can be dictated by ion concentration? that’s what got me. It’s like nature and technology in harmony, or something.
If this tech can make drug delivery more precise, it can literally save lives. So much potential, really hope it doesn’t get stuck in the lab.
Dr. Xin Shi and team are really bringin science fiction into reality. But let’s not forget the unsung heroes, those computer simulations that helped validate the findings. Hats off!
Science is just blowin my mind, one breakthrough at a time. But how long till we actually see this applied in the real world? Just curious.
Impressed but also kinda worried. With tech like this, ethical concerns must be huge. Anyone thinkin bout that?
The article’s a bit technical, but if I get it right, they’re on to something big. Like, paradigm-shift level big. Kudos!
this is it, the future is now people. Drug delivery at the cellular level? Man, that’s something outta sci-fi. Keep it up, scientists!
Wow, this is next level stuff. Nanotech’s really pushing boundaries here. Can’t even begin to imagine the implications of such tech on medicine and energy sectors.
amazing research! never thought I’d see DNA being used this way. If they can harness energy from salt gradients, this could be a game changer.