Sprecher
Beschreibung
DNA nanostructures that can change shape in response to external inputs are useful for applications in areas like biosensing [1], medicine [2], and adaptive materials [3]. DNA origami allows for building these structures with precise control over geometry and dynamic behavior [4].
In this project, we designed a reconfigurable DNA origami made of triangular units that can fold into two different 3D shapes: an octahedron and a boat. The system is designed to switch between these shapes based on two types of input: (1) strand displacement and (2) temperature changes. To enable higher-throughput screening of experimental conditions, we developed a fluorophore-quencher assay that distinguishes between the octahedron and boat configurations based on their structural differences. Initial validation includes TEM imaging and fluorophore-quencher assays for the strand displacement system which offers programmable, sequence-specific control and could be used for applications such as targeted molecular release triggered by microRNAs.
For the temperature-based switching, oxDNA free energy simulations combined with entropy estimates were used to guide sequence design. The goal is to engineer thermodynamically balanced states that favor one shape over the other depending on ambient temperature. This kind of thermal control could enable applications in autonomous sensing or responsive nanodevices that adapt passively to environmental changes. oxDNA was also used to simulate structural stability, and to identify potential design failures before experimental work.
Overall, this work demonstrates how integrating computational modeling with experimental design can support the development of dynamic, programmable DNA origami devices. By combining multiple design strategies, this approach contributes to a broader toolkit for building shape-changing nanostructures with responsive behavior.
[1] Cabane, E. et al., Biointerphases 7, 1-4, 2012
[2] Ramesh, M. et al., Biosensors 13, 1 40, 2022
[3] Tanjeem, N. et al., Advanced materials 34, 3, 2022
[4] Rothemund, P., Nature 440, 297–302, 2006
