The intelligent DNA molecular nano robot model is coming

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Preface

intelligence DNA Molecular nano robot model with short single chain DNA For the skeleton , The length is usually 100 About nucleotides , By folding itself to form nanoscale structures . In the test tube liquid environment , intelligence DNA Molecular nano robot will automatically recognize target biomolecules , Then quickly assemble and unfold “ siege ”, To achieve the capture and signal amplification of target biological molecules , Help researchers to track them quickly .

All the robots we know are “ Iron soldiers ”, Help human beings complete high-risk 、 Hard work . Now , The genetic material of life —— Deoxyribonucleic acid （DNA） For the nano robot “ flesh ”, It refreshes people's cognition .

In recent days, , The research group of yangliangbao, researcher of Hefei Institute of Physical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, cooperates with Anhui University and other institutions , A non-linear cluster “ siege ” Intelligence of biological target molecules DNA Molecular nano robot model . Relevant papers have been published in top journals in the field of nano materials 《 Nano vision 》.

use DNA Molecules make a robot

As early as 20 Mid Century , Foreign scholars have proposed the idea of a molecular machine , To predict the future, just put the nano robot into the human blood , They can automatically reach the lesion , Operation , Treat disease . However , It is not easy to build such a robot . Experience in supramolecular chemistry 50 Years of development , It has been possible to prepare quite exquisite “ Molecular motors ”“ Molecular abacus ”“ Molecular cars ” And other artificial molecular machines . For all that , These artificial molecular machines are functional and diverse , Can't compete with the molecular machines of nature , Such as protein .

As genetic material DNA, It has amazing precision assembly ability .20 century 80 years , Foreign scholars have proposed the use of DNA The idea of molecules building aggregates with nanoscale shapes and structures , And develop it into a dynamic DNA Nanotechnology .“ This technology will DNA The ability of molecules to assemble is brought into full play . Binding aptamers 、 ribozyme 、 Various stimulus responses DNA Primitives and DNA Chain exchange reaction , People can even make DNA nanostructure ‘ dynamic ’ get up , And under the input of matter and energy , Implement the calculation 、 walk 、 Carry 、 Sorting and other functions .” First author of the paper 、 Lishaofei, a teacher of the school of life sciences of Anhui University, said .

Lishaofei told Science and technology daily ,DNA Nano robot will be nano scale DNA As the structural foundation . Reasonable design DNA molecular , It can be constructed with a step 、 Structural opening and closing 、 Target acquisition and other dynamic functions DNA Nanorobots , It can be used in analytical chemistry 、 Medical diagnosis and disease treatment .

Lishaofei said ,DNA Nano robot is small 、 It is especially suitable for targeted drug delivery in narrow human circulatory system .“ Give Way DNA Nanorobot targeted drug delivery , Arrive at the designated place , Targeted treatment of inflammation or removal of tumors , At the same time, it reduces the distribution in normal tissues or cells , It is one of the ultimate goals of medical nanotechnology .” Lishaofei said .

It can not only deliver medicine accurately, but also “ kill ”

“DNA By 4 A sequence of biomolecules linked by nucleotides , Specific nucleotides can be paired with each other .” Li Shaofei introduced , The self force of nucleotides and the programmability of sequences , And the rapid development of DNA Synthesis and modification techniques , by DNA Nano robots have laid the foundation for drug targeted delivery .

“ Molecules that will recognize and bind to tumor cells , Including aptamers 、 peptide 、 Antibodies and small biological molecules , By chemical means with DNA Connect , It's like DNA The nano robot is loaded with ‘ Directional navigation system ’, It can play the targeting function of the robot .” Lishaofei said , Again , The antineoplastic drugs , Including functional nucleic acids 、 Chemotherapeutics 、 protein 、 Polypeptides and nanoparticles, etc DNA combination , Can play DNA Drug loading and delivery functions of nano robots .

Li Shaofei introduced , In traditional drug delivery systems , Drugs circulate through the blood , The efficiency of passively reaching the effective part is very low . Large doses of medication , It will cause serious toxic and side effects in the whole body . and DNA Nanorobots , Self drive through interaction with the environment , The drug can be selectively delivered to the target site , Increase the drug concentration at the targeted site .

“ because DNA The sequence has good biocompatibility 、 Relative chemical stability , therefore DNA Nano robots also have these characteristics , It also has drug wrapping and efficacy protection 、 Improve the drug uptake efficiency of tumor cells and other unique functions .” Lishaofei said .

“ In the test tube liquid environment , intelligence DNA Molecular nano robot will automatically recognize target biomolecules , Then quickly assemble and unfold ‘ siege ’, To achieve the capture and signal amplification of target biological molecules , Help researchers to track them quickly .” Lishaofei said , It's like a bee staring at the target , Then summon other bees to keep besieging , Forming an easily discovered cluster .

Li Shaofei introduced , intelligence DNA Molecular nano robot model with short single chain DNA For the skeleton , The length is usually 100 About nucleotides , By folding itself to form nanoscale structures , Its shape is similar to a hairpin .

intelligence DNA The molecular nano robot model consists of a multifunctional manipulator and optional accessories （ medicine 、 Signal label 、 Target clamp, etc ）、 Target verifier 、 It is composed of Intelligent Cloud path controller and self-assembly motor . Each component has its own “ mission ”. for example , The multi-functional manipulator can grab the target molecules from the mixture , Then the target verifier verifies the correctness of the captured target . After grabbing and identifying the correct target molecule , The robot starts under the guidance of the path controller , Gather in a nonlinear path , And rely on the self-assembly motor to drive the robot to complete the cloud assembly , Finally, a large assembly is formed . When these components complete their respective “ mission ” when , The target molecule is sufficient “ expose ”, Only be good “ allow oneself to be seized without putting up a fight ”.

Only by making up the weak points can we usher in broad prospects

As early as 1959 year , Richard, the Nobel Laureate in physics · Feynman proposed the idea of nano robot , This is the origin of the concept of drug targeted delivery nanorobot .20 century 90 years , The rise of nanotechnology , Continue to promote the development of nano robots .2017 year , American researchers are 《 science 》 Magazine articles , This paper introduces a sort function DNA Nanorobots , It can capture certain molecules , And release them to the designated location , This is a DNA An important step for robots .2018 year , The national nano science center of China has designed a DNA Nano origami robot , It can carry drugs to accurately find the hiding place of cancer cells .

“ Whether at home or abroad , Yes DNA The research on nano robots is still in its infancy , There is still a long way to go from clinical application .” Lishaofei thinks , Although after decades of research and development ,DNA Nanorobot as a new drug targeted delivery system , Keep breaking through . However , In order to meet the practical needs of biomedical applications , Nano robot in biosafety 、 In vivo tracking and navigation 、 Delivery efficiency 、 There are still many challenges in sustainable precision control and other aspects .

Lishaofei said , Their research team members took small molecules of tumor cells and exosomes as targets , The target is successfully tracked , It has preliminarily verified the intelligence DNA Application performance of molecular nano robot model .

Although the method and principle have been innovated so far , And the model is established , But lishaofei said frankly ：“ in consideration of DNA The complexity of molecular motion and the limitations of characterization methods , And the diversity of biological samples , There is still much room to explore the application performance of the model .” Lishaofei said , next step , The team will focus on optimizing intelligence DNA Assembly efficiency of the molecular nano robot model , And further integrate excellent signal readout technology , Excavate it in DNA Nanotechnology 、 Potential applications in biochemical analysis and biomedicine .

“ Especially for the current epidemic of infectious diseases , The team is exploring the use of intelligence DNA Feasibility of ultra sensitive diagnosis based on molecular nano robot model .” Lishaofei said , With the development of Computer Science 、 Materials Science 、 The development of robotics and medicine and the integration and progress of interdisciplinary , intelligence DNA Nano robots will surely have broad prospects and development space in drug targeted delivery .