Name: designing a bio-responsive robot from dna origami
Uploaded: 2013-07-08T12:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Designing a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami at JoVE.com

The authors wish to thank S. Douglas for extremely valuable discussions and advice, and all the members of the Bachelet lab for helpful discussions and work. This work is supported by grants from the Faculty of Life Sciences and Institute of Nanotechnology &amp; Advanced Materials at Bar-Ilan University.

The robot we will design in this paper responds to a protein P by making a cargo C available to bind to receptors on the surface of a chosen target cell. The robot is shown in Figure 1. C may be a receptor-blocking drug; a growth factor etc., and a way to chemically link it to a DNA oligonucleotide must be available that does not destroy its function. The robot has two states. When inactive, DNA gates on the two external 'lips' are hybridized, making sure the robot remai...

<ol>
	<li>Watson, J. D., Crick, F. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genetical+implications+of+the+structure+of+deoxyribonucleic+acid.">Genetical implications of the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid.</a> Nature. 171, 964-967 (1953).</li><li>Adleman, L. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+computation+of+solutions+to+combinatorial+problems.">Molecular computation of solutions to combinatorial problems.</a> Science. 266, 1021-1024 (1994).</li><li>Qian, L., Winfree, E., Bruck, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neural+network+computation+with+DNA+strand+displacement+cascades.">Neural network computation with DNA strand displacement cascades.</a> Nature. 475, 368-372 (2011).</li><li>Ellington, A. D., Szostak, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+selection+of+RNA+molecules+that+bind+specific+ligands.">In vitro selection of RNA molecules that bind specific ligands.</a> Nature. 346, 818-822 (1990).</li><li>Tang, Z., Parekh, P., Turner, P., Moyer, R. W., Tan, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Generating+aptamers+for+recognition+of+virus-infected+cells.">Generating aptamers for recognition of virus-infected cells.</a> Clin. Chem. 55, 813-822 (2009).</li><li>Baskerville, S., Bartel, D. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+ribozyme+that+ligates+RNA+to+protein.">A ribozyme that ligates RNA to protein.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 99, 9154-9159 (2002).</li><li>Bartel, D. P., Szostak, J. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+of+new+ribozymes+from+a+large+pool+of+random+sequences+[see+comment].">Isolation of new ribozymes from a large pool of random sequences [see comment].</a> Science. 261, 1411-1418 (1993).</li><li>Benenson, Y., Gil, B., Ben-Dor, U., Adar, R., Shapiro, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+autonomous+molecular+computer+for+logical+control+of+gene+expression.">An autonomous molecular computer for logical control of gene expression.</a> Nature. 429, 423-429 (2004).</li><li>Xie, Z., Wroblewska, L., Prochazka, L., Weiss, R., Benenson, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multi-input+RNAi-based+logic+circuit+for+identification+of+specific+cancer+cells.">Multi-input RNAi-based logic circuit for identification of specific cancer cells.</a> Science. 333, 1307-1311 (2011).</li><li>Rothemund, P. W., Papadakis, N., Winfree, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Algorithmic+self-assembly+of+DNA+Sierpinski+triangles.">Algorithmic self-assembly of DNA Sierpinski triangles.</a> PLoS Biol. 2, e424 (2004).</li><li>Chen, J. H., Seeman, N. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Synthesis+from+DNA+of+a+molecule+with+the+connectivity+of+a+cube.">Synthesis from DNA of a molecule with the connectivity of a cube.</a> Nature. 350, 631-633 (1991).</li><li>He, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hierarchical+self-assembly+of+DNA+into+symmetric+supramolecular+polyhedra.">Hierarchical self-assembly of DNA into symmetric supramolecular polyhedra.</a> Nature. 452, 198-201 (2008).</li><li>Seeman, N. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nucleic+acid+junctions+and+lattices.">Nucleic acid junctions and lattices.</a> J. Theor. Biol. 99, 237-247 (1982).</li><li>Wei, B., Dai, M., Yin, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Complex+shapes+self-assembled+from+single-stranded+DNA+tiles.">Complex shapes self-assembled from single-stranded DNA tiles.</a> Nature. 485, 623-626 (2012).</li><li>Yin, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Programming+DNA+tube+circumferences.">Programming DNA tube circumferences.</a> Science. 321, 824-826 (2008).</li><li>Rothemund, P. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Folding+DNA+to+create+nanoscale+shapes+and+patterns.">Folding DNA to create nanoscale shapes and patterns.</a> Nature. 440, 297-302 (2006).</li><li>Dietz, H., Douglas, S. M., Shih, W. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Folding+DNA+into+twisted+and+curved+nanoscale+shapes.">Folding DNA into twisted and curved nanoscale shapes.</a> Science. 325, 725-730 (2009).</li><li>Douglas, S. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Self-assembly+of+DNA+into+nanoscale+three-dimensional+shapes.">Self-assembly of DNA into nanoscale three-dimensional shapes.</a> Nature. 459, 414-418 (2009).</li><li>Douglas, S. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rapid+prototyping+of+3D+DNA-origami+shapes+with+caDNAno.">Rapid prototyping of 3D DNA-origami shapes with caDNAno.</a> Nucleic Acids Res. 37, 5001-5006 (2009).</li><li>Douglas, S. M., Bachelet, I., Church, G. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+logic-gated+nanorobot+for+targeted+transport+of+molecular+payloads.">A logic-gated nanorobot for targeted transport of molecular payloads.</a> Science. 335, 831-834 (2012).</li><li>Castro, C. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+primer+to+scaffolded+DNA+origami.">A primer to scaffolded DNA origami.</a> Nature Methods. 8, 221-229 (1038).</li><li>Ke, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multilayer+DNA+origami+packed+on+a+square+lattice.">Multilayer DNA origami packed on a square lattice.</a> Journal of the American Chemical Society. 131, 15903-15908 (2009).</li><li>Mallikaratchy, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Using+aptamers+evolved+from+cell-SELEX+to+engineer+a+molecular+delivery+platform.">Using aptamers evolved from cell-SELEX to engineer a molecular delivery platform.</a> Chem. Commun. (Camb). , 3056-3058 (2009).</li><li>Hamad-Schifferli, K., Schwartz, J. J., Santos, A. T., Zhang, S., Jacobson, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Remote+electronic+control+of+DNA+hybridization+through+inductive+coupling+to+an+attached+metal+nanocrystal+antenna.">Remote electronic control of DNA hybridization through inductive coupling to an attached metal nanocrystal antenna.</a> Nature. 415, 152-155 (2002).</li></ol>

DNA origami enables us to fabricate accurately defined objects with arbitrary features at the nanoscale. An important next step would be the integration of function into these designs. While many applications and challenges could be addressed with this technology, there is a particular interest in fabricating therapeutic and scientific robots from DNA origami, as these represent a natural milieu of DNA. DNA already interfaces with molecular machinery in cells as a genetic information storage medium. Interestingly,...

<table border="1">
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Name of Reagent/Material</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalog Number</td>
 <td>Comments</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Autodesk Maya 2012</td>
 <td>Autodesk</td>
 <td></td>
 <td>A student/academic account needs to be created first (see platform-specific instructions in <a href="http://cadnano.org" target="_blank">http://cadnano.org</a>)</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>caDNAno 2.0 (software)</td>
 <td>(Open source)</td>
 <td></td>
 <td>Software for the design of DNA origami structures <a href="http://cadnano.org/" target="_blank">http://cadnano.org</a></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Cando (webpage)</td>
 <td>(Open source)</td>
 <td></td>
 <td>Webpage running a simulator of DNA origami shapes <a href="http://cando-dna-origami.org" target="_blank">http://cando-dna-origami.org</a></td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

designing a bio-responsive robot from dna origami

Nucleic acids are astonishingly versatile. In addition to their natural role as storage medium for biological information1, they can be utilized in parallel computing2,3 , recognize and bind molecular or cellular targets4,5 , catalyze chemical reactions6,7 , and generate calculated responses in a biological system8,9. Importantly, nucleic acids can be programmed to self-assemble into 2D and 3D structures10-12, enabling the integration of all these remarkable features in a single robot linking the sensing of biological cues to a preset response in order to exert a desired effect.
Creating shapes from nucleic acids was first proposed by Seeman13, and several variations on this theme have since been realized using various techniques11,12,14,15 . However, the most significant is perhaps the one proposed by Rothemund, termed scaffolded DNA origami16. In this technique, the folding of a long (&gt;7,000 bases) single-stranded DNA 'scaffold' is directed to a desired shape by hundreds of short complementary strands termed 'staples'. Folding is carried out by temperature annealing ramp. This technique was successfully demonstrated in the creation of a diverse array of 2D shapes with remarkable precision and robustness. DNA origami was later extended to 3D as well17,18 .
 
The current paper will focus on the caDNAno 2.0 software19 developed by Douglas and colleagues. caDNAno is a robust, user-friendly CAD tool enabling the design of 2D and 3D DNA origami shapes with versatile features. The design process relies on a systematic and accurate abstraction scheme for DNA structures, making it relatively straightforward and efficient.
In this paper we demonstrate the design of a DNA origami nanorobot that has been recently described20. This robot is 'robotic' in the sense that it links sensing to actuation, in order to perform a task. We explain how various sensing schemes can be integrated into the structure, and how this can be relayed to a desired effect. Finally we use Cando21 to simulate the mechanical properties of the designed shape. The concept we discuss can be adapted to multiple tasks and settings.

Figures 1-25 are screenshots of the caDNAno 2.0 interface showing the design process step-by-step. The cross-section of the shape was first outlined (Figure 3), followed by automatic addition of scaffold strand fragments and completion of the entire scaffold path (Figure 7). Staple strands are automatically added (Figure 12), broken according to user-defined parameters (Figure 14), and manually edited to adapt the staples to the de...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Designing a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami at JoVE.com

Designing a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami

DNA origami is a powerful method for fabricating precise nanoscale objects by programming the self-assembly of DNA molecules. Here, we describe how DNA origami can be utilized to design a robotic robot capable of sensing biological cues and responding by shape shifting, subsequently relayed to a desired effect.

Nucleic acids are astonishingly versatile. In addition to their natural role as storage medium for biological information1, they can be utilized in ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

Haptic/Graphic Rehabilitation: Integrating a Robot into a Virtual Environment Library and Applying it to Stroke Therapy

Recent research that tests interactive devices for prolonged therapy practice has revealed new prospects for robotics combined with graphical and other ...

Adaptation of a Haptic Robot in a 3T fMRI

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provides excellent functional brain imaging via the BOLD signal 1 with advantages including non-ionizing ...

Designing Silk-silk Protein Alloy Materials for Biomedical Applications

Fibrous proteins display different sequences and structures that have been used for various applications in biomedical fields such as biosensors, ...

Medical-grade Sterilizable Target for Fluid-immersed Fetoscope Optical Distortion Calibration

We have developed a calibration target for use with fluid-immersed endoscopes within the context of the GIFT-Surg (Guided Instrumentation for Fetal ...

DNA Nanotubes as a Versatile Tool to Study Semiflexible Polymers

Mechanical properties of complex, polymer-based soft matter, such as cells or biopolymer networks, can be understood in neither the classical frame of ...

Optimizing the Use of a Liquid Handling Robot to Conduct a High Throughput Forward Chemical Genetics Screen of Arabidopsis thaliana

Optimizing the Use of a Liquid Handling Robot to Conduct a High Throughput Forward Chemical Genetics Screen of Arabidopsis thaliana

Chemical genetics is increasingly being employed to decode traits in plants that may be recalcitrant to traditional genetics due to gene redundancy or ...

Design and Synthesis of a Reconfigurable DNA Accordion Rack

DNA nanostructure-based mechanical systems or DNA nanomachines, which produce complex nanoscale motion in 2D and 3D in the nanometer to &#229;ngstr&#246;m ...

Designing Porous Silicon Films as Carriers of Nerve Growth Factor

Despite the great potential of NGF for treating neurodegenerative diseases, its therapeutic administration represents a significant challenge as the ...

Isokinetic Robotic Device to Improve Test-Retest and Inter-Rater Reliability for Stretch Reflex Measurements in Stroke Patients with Spasticity

Measuring spasticity is important in treatment planning and determining efficacy after treatment. However, the current tool used in clinical settings has ...

Bioinspired Soft Robot with Incorporated Microelectrodes

Bioinspired soft robotic systems that mimic living organisms using engineered muscle tissue and biomaterials are revolutionizing the current biorobotics ...