functional-surface-immobilization-genes-using-multistep-strand

Functional Surface-immobilization of Genes Using Multistep Strand Displacement Lithography

Immobilization of genes on lithographically structured surfaces allows the study of compartmentalized gene expression processes in an open microfluidic ...

in-vesiculo-synthesis-peptide-membrane-precursors-for-autonomous

In Vesiculo Synthesis of Peptide Membrane Precursors for Autonomous Vesicle Growth

Compartmentalization of biochemical reactions is a central aspect of synthetic cells. For this purpose, peptide-based reaction compartments serve as an ...

Technical University of Munich

Technische Universität München

Nanosystems Initiative Munich

With the invention of the DNA origami technique, DNA self-assembly has reached a new level of sophistication. DNA can now be used to arrange molecules and other nanoscale components into almost arbitrary geometries-in two and even three dimensions and with nanometer precision. One exciting prospect is the realization of dynamic systems based on DNA, in which chemical reactions are precisely controlled by the spatial arrangement of components, ultimately resulting in nanoscale analogs of molecular assembly lines or 'nanofactories'. This review will discuss recent progress toward this goal, ranging from DNA-templated synthesis over artificial DNA-based enzyme cascades to first examples of 'molecular robots'.

DNA-based assembly lines and nanofactories.

The development of complex self-organizing molecular systems for future nanotechnology requires not only robust formation of molecular structures by self-assembly but also precise control over their temporal dynamics. As an exquisite example of such control, in this issue of ACS Nano, Fujii and Rondelez demonstrate a particularly compact realization of a molecular "predator-prey" ecosystem consisting of only three DNA species and three enzymes. The system displays pronounced oscillatory dynamics, in good agreement with the predictions of a simple theoretical model. Moreover, its considerable modularity also allows for ecological studies of competition and cooperation within molecular networks.

Programming the dynamics of biochemical reaction networks.

Position-dependent gene expression in gradients of morphogens is one of the key processes involved in cellular differentiation during development. Here, we study a simple artificial differentiation process, which is based on the diffusion of genetic inducers within one-dimensional arrangements of 50 μm large water-in-oil droplets. The droplets are filled with either bacteria or cell-free gene expression systems, both equipped with genetic constructs that produce inducers or respond to them via expression of a fluorescent protein. We quantitatively study the coupled diffusion-gene expression process and demonstrate that gene expression can be made position-dependent both within bacteria-containing and cell-free droplets. By generating diffusing quorum sensing signals in situ, we also establish communication between artificial cell-free sender cells and bacterial receivers, and vice versa. 

Chemical communication between bacteria and cell-free gene expression systems within linear chains of emulsion droplets.

DNA-binding proteins are promising reagents for the sequence-specific modification of DNA-based nanostructures. Here, we investigate the utility of a series of relaxase proteins-TrwC, TraI, and MobA-for nanofunctionalization. Relaxases are involved in the conjugative transfer of plasmids between bacteria, and bind to their DNA target sites via a covalent phosphotyrosine linkage. We study the binding of the relaxases to two standard DNA origami structures-rodlike six-helix bundles and flat rectangular origami sheets. We find highly orthogonal binding of the proteins with binding yields of 40-50 % per binding site, which is comparable to other functionalization methods. The yields differ for the two origami structures and also depend on the position of the binding sites. Due to their specificity for a single-stranded DNA target, their orthogonality, and their binding properties, relaxases are a uniquely useful addition to the toolbox available for the modification of DNA nanostructures with proteins. 

Orthogonal Protein Assembly on DNA Nanostructures Using Relaxases.

The outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria constitutes an important hurdle for the transport of hydrophobic molecules into the cell. Mass flux is often facilitated by various outer membrane proteins. These proteins are of biotechnological importance because they could help to improve the performance of whole-cell biocatalysts or be incorporated into artificial cell-like systems. The characterization and understanding of their transport properties greatly benefits from the possibility to express and purify these proteins. We investigated folding parameters for the refolding of four small monomeric outer membrane proteins from Escherichia coli (OmpW) and different pseudomonads (AlkL, OprG and TodX). To this aim we screened a number of inexpensive detergents and detergent concentrations, folding additives as well as protein concentrations. Interestingly, detergents with a C chain were most effective in promoting the folding reaction, particularly the negatively charged N-Lauroylsarcosine for OmpW, OprG and TodX as well as the zwitterionic N,N-Dimethyl-n-dodecylamine N-oxide (LDAO) for AlkL. The addition of 1 M urea (AlkL, OmpW), 0.1 M glutamate (OprG) or 0.1 M glycine (TodX) could further improve the folding efficiency. In order to be able to reproducibly produce larger amounts of the proteins, we then established the folding in a miniaturized stirred-tank reactor system combined with a liquid handler. This approach led to a near-complete refolding of OprG (96%), a very good folding of AlkL (84%) and OmpW (71%), only TodX folding was more variable with a final folding efficiency of 52%, all obtained at a final protein concentration of 0.5 g/L.

Preparative refolding of small monomeric outer membrane proteins.

Self-replication: Nanostructure evolution.

The use of dynamic, self-assembled DNA nanostructures in the context of nanorobotics requires fast and reliable actuation mechanisms. We therefore created a 55-nanometer-by-55-nanometer DNA-based molecular platform with an integrated robotic arm of length 25 nanometers, which can be extended to more than 400 nanometers and actuated with externally applied electrical fields. Precise, computer-controlled switching of the arm between arbitrary positions on the platform can be achieved within milliseconds, as demonstrated with single-pair Förster resonance energy transfer experiments and fluorescence microscopy. The arm can be used for electrically driven transport of molecules or nanoparticles over tens of nanometers, which is useful for the control of photonic and plasmonic processes. Application of piconewton forces by the robot arm is demonstrated in force-induced DNA duplex melting experiments.

A self-assembled nanoscale robotic arm controlled by electric fields.

DNA-based nanorobots have been shown to sense and respond to molecular triggers, such as intracellular pH and cell surface receptors. A recent report describes DNA nanorobots as potential cancer therapeutic agents that can be programmed to trigger coagulation inside blood vessels at the tumor site, starving tumor cells to death.

Friedrich C. Simmel

Physics Department

Technical University of Munich

Functional Surface-immobilization of Genes Using Multistep Strand Displacement Lithography

In Vesiculo Synthesis of Peptide Membrane Precursors for Autonomous Vesicle Growth

Friedrich C. Simmel

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Physics Department

Technical University of Munich

Functional Surface-immobilization of Genes Using Multistep Strand Displacement Lithography

In Vesiculo Synthesis of Peptide Membrane Precursors for Autonomous Vesicle Growth

Physics Department