Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EDRIVE (Electrically driven DNA-origami-based machines)
Reporting period: 2022-10-01 to 2025-03-31
Inspired both by Nature and the success of macroscopic machines, molecular engineers have been exploring various approaches for the realization of nanoscale artificial molecular machines (AMMs), i.e. molecular constructs capable of controlled mechanical actuation. Despite the great promise of AMMs and the tremendous progress in the field, especially on the synthesis side, multiple conceptual and technical challenges, and open questions, e.g. related to AMMs fabrication, implementation of actuation and, most important, AMMs functionality, still remain.
The main goal of EDRIVE project is realization of fast, remotely controlled DNA-origami-based artificial molecular machines. Towards this goal, we combine i) the DNA origami technique with its ability to construct well-defined complex three-dimensional nanostructures, and guide the assembly of functional nanoscale objects with unprecedented precision; and ii) electromechanical actuation, to build fast, remotely controlled artificial molecular machines with novel functionalities. Two specific objectives are pursued: (1) electrically driven DNA-origami-based machines for active plasmonics; (2) electrically driven DNA-origami-based machines for robotic arms and motors. While the first objective has recognizable potential for practical applications (active plasmonic surfaces, biosensing), the second one falls into category of blue skies research and addresses conceptual and technical challenges in the field of artificial molecular machines.
We anticipate that results of this project will pave the way towards practical applications of DNA-origami-based machines and will contribute to development of novel approaches for fabrication of artificial molecular machines and motors.
The main goal of EDRIVE project is realization of fast, remotely controlled DNA-origami-based artificial molecular machines. Towards this goal, we combine i) the DNA origami technique with its ability to construct well-defined complex three-dimensional nanostructures, and guide the assembly of functional nanoscale objects with unprecedented precision; and ii) electromechanical actuation, to build fast, remotely controlled artificial molecular machines with novel functionalities. Two specific objectives are pursued: (1) electrically driven DNA-origami-based machines for active plasmonics; (2) electrically driven DNA-origami-based machines for robotic arms and motors. While the first objective has recognizable potential for practical applications (active plasmonic surfaces, biosensing), the second one falls into category of blue skies research and addresses conceptual and technical challenges in the field of artificial molecular machines.
We anticipate that results of this project will pave the way towards practical applications of DNA-origami-based machines and will contribute to development of novel approaches for fabrication of artificial molecular machines and motors.
At this point of the project implementation, most of the research results are not yet at the level required for scientific publication.
Main achievements include:
- Assembly of multidisciplinary team composed of experienced postdoctoral research and highly motivated doctoral student with skillsets and aptitude necessary for achieving ambitious objectives of EDRIVE project.
- Desing, procurement and instalment of fluorescence optical microscopy set-up with single molecule detection capability.
- Development of various methodologies to be utilized for the project implementation.
- First manuscript related to Objective 1 is currently under preparation.
Main achievements include:
- Assembly of multidisciplinary team composed of experienced postdoctoral research and highly motivated doctoral student with skillsets and aptitude necessary for achieving ambitious objectives of EDRIVE project.
- Desing, procurement and instalment of fluorescence optical microscopy set-up with single molecule detection capability.
- Development of various methodologies to be utilized for the project implementation.
- First manuscript related to Objective 1 is currently under preparation.
In the context of object of Objective 1, we realized electrically driven active plasmonic surfaces which exhibit fast, strong and remote modulation of optical responses. This results reach significantly beyond the current state of art state-of-the-art for lithography-free dynamic plasmonic surfaces in terms of optical responses modulation speed and amplitude. Furthermore, these results present novel approach in implementing active plasmonic responses through geometrical reconfiguration rather than change of surrounding environment. We anticipate that this work will open new routes towards realization of novel photonic devices with tailored functionalities.