Researchers have taken a major step towards building the first nanorobot that would facilitate targeted transport of medications to the diseased cells in the body for faster and more beneficial effect. A nanorobot is a popular term for molecules with a unique property that enables them to be programmed to carry out a specific task. In collaboration with colleagues in Italy and the USA, researchers at Aarhus University are developing the first nanorobot, also called a DNA nanocage, of DNA molecules that can encapsulate and release active biomolecules. Using DNA self-assembly, the researchers designed eight unique DNA molecules from the body’s own natural molecules.
When these molecules are mixed together, they spontaneously aggregate in a usable form – the nanocage. The nanocage has four functional elements that transform themselves in response to changes in the surrounding temperature. These transformations either close or open the nanocage. By exploiting the temperature changes in the surroundings, the researchers trapped an active enzyme called horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the nanocage. They used HRP as a model because its activity is easy to trace.
This is possible because the nanocage’s outer lattice has apertures with a smaller diameter than the central spherical cavity. This structure makes it possible to encapsulate enzymes or other molecules that are larger than the apertures in the lattice, but smaller than the central cavity. The study was published in the journal ACS Nano. (ANI)