Dynamic DNA material with emergent locomotion behavior powered by artificial metabolism

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Synthetic Biology
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Metabolism, the combination of anabolism and catabolism, is essential for life, involving continuous matter and energy flux.
• While dynamic materials have been explored, creating them from scratch by mimicking biological metabolism via bioengineering remains a challenge.
• Dissipative assemblies offer a synthetic approach to dynamic materials, analogous to aspects of natural metabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a bottom-up construction of dynamic biomaterials powered by artificial metabolism.
• To integrate irreversible biosynthesis and dissipative assembly processes for biomaterial creation.
• To explore emergent behaviors and potential applications of these novel dynamic biomaterials.

Main Methods:

• Designed and constructed dynamic biomaterials using a combination of irreversible biosynthesis and dissipative assembly.
• Programmed emergent locomotion behavior using an abstract design model inspired by mechanical systems.
• Investigated dynamic properties such as autonomous pattern generation and polarized regeneration.

Main Results:

• Achieved emergent locomotion resembling slime mold behavior in the artificial biomaterial.
• Demonstrated locomotion along designated tracks against a constant flow, powered by autonomous pattern generation and regeneration.
• Successfully programmed emergent racing behavior between two locomotive bodies.
• Illustrated potential applications in pathogen detection and hybrid nanomaterials.

Conclusions:

• Dynamic biomaterials powered by artificial metabolism represent a novel approach to creating self-sustaining and regenerating artificial biological systems.
• The developed materials exhibit programmable emergent behaviors, showcasing significant potential for advanced applications.
• This work bridges synthetic chemistry and bioengineering, offering a new paradigm for designing intelligent materials.