A new method of creating DNA origami
DNA has learned to turn into parts for robots
Molecular biologists from the University of Arizona have developed a new method of creating DNA origami, which consists in obtaining various geometric shapes from chains of nucleic acids. Such structures can be used to create industrial nanorobots or new information carriers. The study is published in the journal Science (Veneziano et al., Designer nanoscale DNA assemblies programmed from the top down).
The computer program DAEDALUS written by scientists calculates which nucleotide chains are required to create a given shape. All that researchers need in the future is to produce the necessary DNA fragments, which in special buffer solutions will themselves be organized into the desired structure.
To get a certain structure from nucleotide chains, you need to take a long fragment of DNA and shape it using short pieces of DNA, which serve as an analogue of paper clips. They bind to a long strand in certain places, connecting nucleotides according to the principle of complementarity: adenine nucleotide (A) with thymine (T), and guanine (G) with cytosine (C).
The algorithm for selecting the correct DNA fragments is based on the decision tree method. Sequentially, the program builds a given framework, which is given in the form of a "wire" grid consisting of polyhedra. Then, based on it, the algorithm creates a tree-like scheme that shows how different DNA chains can be placed in a common structure. In the end, DAEDALUS determines the final set of nucleic acid fragments.
Here and below are drawings from the Biodesign Institute Top-down design press release brings new DNA structures to life - VM.
The researchers tested the method by collecting first simple DNA origami, and then complex ones. These include objects with non–spherical topology (rings, pretzels - anything that has holes) and other features that have not been experimentally implemented before.
Scientists hope that their method contributes to the development of nanoscale systems that mimic the properties of viruses, photosynthetic organisms and other complex products of natural evolution.
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27.05.2016