Nucleic acid nanotechnology

Abstract:

We demonstrate the use of rolling circle replication to template linear DNA arrays whose sizes bridge the gap between nanometre-scale self-assembly and top-down lithographic fabrication. Using rolling circle replication we have produced an oligonucleotide containing several hundred repeats of a short sequence motif. On this template we have constructed, by self-assembly, an array consisting of two parallel duplexes periodically linked by antiparallel Holliday junctions. We have observed arrays up to 10 νm in length by atomic force microscopy. © 2005 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Abstract:

Intelligent nanomechanical devices that operate in an autonomous fashion are of great theoretical and practical interest. Recent successes in building large scale DNA nano-structures, in constructing DNA mechanical devices, and in DNA computing provide a solid foundation for the next step forward: designing autonomous DNA mechanical devices capable of arbitrarily complex behavior. One prototype system towards this goal can be an autonomous DNA mechanical device capable of universal computation, by mimicking the operation of a universal Turing machine. Building on our prior theoretical design and prototype experimental construction of an autonomous unidirectional DNA walking device moving along a linear track, we present here the design of a nanomechanical DNA device that autonomously mimics the operation of a 2-state 5-color universal Turing machine. Our autonomous nanomechanical device, called an Autonomous DNA Turing Machine (ADTM), is thus capable of universal computation and hence complex translational motion, which we define as universal translational motion.