A non-equilibrium dissipation system with tunable molecular fuel flux

Area of Science:

• Biomimetics and Synthetic Biology
• Nanotechnology and Materials Science

Background:

• Cells utilize macromolecule fuel via indirect fuel (IF) utilization, regulating small molecule fuel generation (fuel flux) through pathways like glycolysis.
• Dissipative networks and structures in cells are driven by these energy conversion processes.
• Direct fuel (DF) utilization involves acquiring and using small molecule fuel directly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a bionic dissipation system with tunable fuel flux using dynamic DNA nanotechnology.
• To investigate the relationship between fuel flux and the strength of non-equilibrium transient states.
• To demonstrate the system's ability to regulate biomimetic processes, such as nanoparticle assembly.

Main Methods:

• Engineered a dynamic DNA nanotechnology system to create a bionic dissipation system.
• Controlled fuel flux by regulating strand displacement and enzymatic reaction rates.
• Utilized the system to modulate the assembly and disassembly dynamics of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).

Main Results:

• Demonstrated tunable control over fuel flux and the strength of non-equilibrium transient states.
• Found a positive correlation between fuel flux and transient state strength within a certain range, becoming negative after saturation.
• Showcased biomimetic regulation of AuNP assembly/disassembly rates and strengths, analogous to microtubule dynamics.

Conclusions:

• The developed dissipation system offers tunable molecular fuel flux, enabling precise control over non-equilibrium dynamics.
• This system successfully biomimics biological regulatory processes, exemplified by nanoparticle assembly.
• The technology holds significant potential for applications in biomimetics, synthetic biology, smart materials, biosensing, and artificial cells.