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.
