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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 27, 2025

In vitro Assembly of Semi-artificial Molecular Machine and its Use for Detection of DNA Damage

In vitro Assembly of Semi-artificial Molecular Machine and its Use for Detection of DNA Damage

Published on: January 11, 2012

Molecular Nanomachines Can Destroy Tissue or Kill Multicellular Eukaryotes.

Richard S Gunasekera, Thushara Galbadage¹, Ciceron Ayala-Orozco²

¹Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas 77807, United States.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

|February 25, 2020

Summary

Light-activated molecular nanomachines (MNMs) effectively damage multicellular organisms by drilling through cell membranes. This nanomechanical action shows potential for treating diseases like cancer and infections in vivo.

Keywords:

C. elegans Daphnia bacteria cancer cells in vivo molecular nanomachines mouse parasite

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Area of Science:

Nanotechnology
Biomedical Engineering
Cell Biology

Background:

Light-activated molecular nanomachines (MNMs) disrupt prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell membranes via rotation.
Their efficacy in multicellular organisms and therapeutic potential require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the effects of light-activated MNMs on model multicellular organisms.
To explore the therapeutic applications of MNMs for disease treatment.

Main Methods:

Exposure of *Caenorhabditis elegans*, *Daphnia pulex*, and *Mus musculus* to fast-rotating MNMs.
Comparison with slow-rotating MNMs to control for rotation effects.
Detailed study of physiological and pathological changes.

Main Results:

Fast-rotating MNMs induced 70% mortality and depigmentation in *C. elegans*.
In *Daphnia*, MNMs reduced movement, heart rate, and caused tissue damage.
Topical application on mouse skin led to ulceration, microlesions, and deeper tissue penetration.

Conclusions:

Light-activated MNMs demonstrate nanomechanical efficacy against multicellular organisms.
MNMs disrupt cell membranes and damage tissues *in vivo*.
Targeted MNMs offer potential for treating cancer, infections, and diseased tissues.