Micromechanical Devices Using DNA Hybridization

Scientific Achievement

We demonstrate that DNA and RNA can be used as a fuel and for energy storage in nano/microscale machines.

An accordion device can be pulled with laser tweezers unzipping the complementary DNA strands at the vertex hinges. On release the stored energy can move attached colloids at many μm/s. 

Significance and Impact

DNA nanotechnology and functionalization of colloids have given us new ways to produce intricate structures. We now have ways to activate these systems at the length, time and speed scales of microorganisms.

Research Details

• With simple DNA origami lever arms arranged in hinges and accordion structures, we amplify the nanometer displacements from DNA hairpin zippers to 4-μm motion, easily observable and quantified in real space and real time with conventional optical microscopy.
• Mechanically pulling a bead tethered on the accordion end, we measure high-energy recovery and retraction speeds up to 50 μm/s.

Micromechanical Devices Using DNA Hybridization
Zhu, G.;  Hannel, M.;  Sha, R.;  Zhou, F. ;  Zion, M. Y. B.;  Zhang, Y.; Bishop, K.;  Grie, D.;  Seeman, N.; Chaikin, P. 
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the U.S.A. 118, 21, 2021

Work Performed at Columbia University and New York University