Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 18, 2025
07:59
Folding and Characterization of a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami
Published on: December 3, 2015
14.8K
Stimuli-Responsive Three-Dimensional DNA Nanomachines Engineered by Controlling Dynamic Interactions at
Peng Yang1,2, Rongxing Zhou3, Chuipeng Kong1
1Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry & Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Analytical & Testing Centre, Sichuan University, 29 Wangjiang Road, Chengdu, Sichuan, China, 610064.
ACS Nano
|October 1, 2021
Summary
Researchers engineered antibody-responsive DNA nanomachines by controlling biomolecule-nanoparticle interfaces. This approach enhances sensitivity for detecting antibodies and small molecules, even in complex biological samples like serum.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Stimuli-responsive nanomachines are crucial for applications in biosensing, imaging, and drug delivery.
- Controlling interactions at biomolecule-nanoparticle (bio-nano) interfaces is key to designing advanced nanomachines.
- DNA nanomachines offer programmable and versatile platforms for molecular engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer stimuli-responsive DNA nanomachines by rationally controlling macromolecule orientation and bio-nano interface dynamics.
- To develop antibody-responsive DNA walkers capable of persistent movement on DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticle tracks.
- To demonstrate the modularity and sensitivity of engineered nanomachines for amplified analyte detection.
Main Methods:
- Engineering DNA walkers with controlled modifications (number and site) on DNA functionalized gold nanoparticle tracks.
- Investigating the impact of interfacial factors on the response of DNA nanomachines to antibodies.
- Utilizing a combination of interfacial factors to enhance the sensitivity and modularity of nanomachines.
- Testing the performance of the engineered nanomachines in buffer and human serum samples for antibody and small molecule detection.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated successful engineering of antibody-responsive DNA walkers with varying responses based on modification strategies.
- Achieved high sensitivity and modularity in stimuli-responsive DNA nanomachines by combining multiple interfacial factors.
- Showcased amplified detection of antibodies and small molecules in both buffer and human serum.
- Observed matrix-enhanced sensitivity in human serum, overcoming limitations of traditional DNA nanomachines.
Conclusions:
- Rational control over bio-nano interface dynamics enables the engineering of sophisticated stimuli-responsive DNA nanomachines.
- The developed strategy offers a versatile platform for highly sensitive and modular biosensing applications.
- The engineered nanomachines exhibit robust performance in complex biological matrices, highlighting their potential for practical diagnostics.
