Electrically driven DNA-origami-based machines

Introduction

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.

Project Goals

Here, I will combine:

1. 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.
2. Electromechanical actuation, to build fast, remotely controlled artificial molecular machines with functionalities far beyond the state of the art.

Fabrication of AMMs

First, I will fabricate AMMs that translate external stimuli into well-defined spatial reconfiguration of metal nanostructures. I will use such AMMs to build:

1. Active plasmonic surfaces with fast remote modulation of optical responses.
2. Plasmonic probes with single-molecule detection sensitivity.

Design of AMMs

Second, I will design AMMs that can exert forces on single molecules; such AMMs will be used to fabricate:

1. Nanoscale robotic arms, i.e., devices that can pick-up, transport and release cargo (molecules and/or nanoparticles) in multiple cycles.
2. Molecular motors, i.e., devices capable of performing useful chemical or mechanical work and driving chemical systems out of their intrinsic equilibrium.

Significance

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.