| Project Detail |
DNA-origami-based nanoscale machines
The creation of artificial nanoscale molecular motors represents a lifelong dream of molecular engineers exploring different approaches towards molecular constructs with controlled mechanical action, or nanoscale artificial molecular machines (AMMs). The EU-funded EDRIVE project aims to build fast, remotely controlled AMMs with functionalities beyond the state of the art. The project will combine the potential of the DNA origami technique for creating complex, three-dimensional nanostructures to guide the precise assembly of functional nanoscale objects, and electromechanical actuation. EDRIVE results offer the prospect of wider practical application of DNA-origami-based nanoscale machines and the development of innovative approaches to the fabrication of AMMs and motors.
Inspired both by Nature and the success of macroscopic machines, molecular engineers have been exploring various approaches for the realization of nanoscale artificial molecular machines (AMMs), i.e. molecular constructs capable of controlled mechanical actuation. Despite the great promise of AMMs and the tremendous progress in the field, especially on the synthesis side, multiple conceptual and technical challenges, and open questions, e.g. related to AMMs fabrication, implementation of actuation and, most important, AMMs functionality, still remain. Here, I will combine i) the DNA origami technique with its ability to construct well-defined complex three-dimensional nanostructures, and guide the assembly of functional nanoscale objects with unprecedented precision; and ii) electromechanical actuation, to build fast, remotely controlled artificial molecular machines with functionalities far beyond the state of the art. First, I will fabricate AMMs that translate external stimuli into well-defined spatial reconfiguration of metal nanostructures. I will use such AMMs to build i) active plasmonic surfaces with fast remote modulation of optical responses, and ii) plasmonics probes with single-molecule detection sensitivity. Second, I will design AMMs that can exert forces on single molecules; such AMMs will be used to fabricate i) nanoscale robotic arms, i.e. devices that can pick-up, transport and release cargo (molecules and/or nanoparticles) in multiple cycles, and ii) molecular motors, i.e. devices capable of performing useful chemical or mechanical work and driving chemical systems out of their intrinsic equilibrium. Fabrication of artificial nanoscale molecular motors has been a long-standing dream of molecular engineers.
Results of this project will pave the way towards practical applications of DNA-origami-based machines and might lead to a paradigm shift in approaches to fabrication of artificial molecular machines and motors. |
