The microcapsules are made of DNA. Credit: Yusuke Sato.
Japanese biologists have found ways to make and manipulate capsule-like DNA structures that could be used in the development of artificialmolecular systems. The systems could function inside the human body. The findings of the study were published in the JACS Au.
The researchers created two different types of DNA. Each type was made using three single-stranded DNA molecule with sticky bits. When the two types were mixed, only similar nanostructures stuck together.
The nanostructures were combined with an oily mixture of charged and non- charged molecule. The mixture was examined under a microscope after being heated and cooled.
Water-in-oil droplets formed with the help of the DNA nanostructures at the water-oil interface. Depending on the concentration of each type relative to the other, the nanostructures came together in different patch-like patterns.
When an extra X-shaped DNA nanostructure was added to the mix, the DNA nanostructures agglomerated in a more homogeneity way.
It worked the same inside the conjugates as it did in the droplets. Takinoue and Sato were able to separate the droplets and vesicles without losing their capsule-like shapes. They were able to open the capsule and degrade it.
The methods of generation of DNA capsule and their images. The man is Yusuke Sato.
The findings show an approach for constructing and modifying DNA capsule that could have a variety of different functions and purposes. They could be used to carry substances to specific target organs, releasing their cargo when exposed to certain enzymes. They could be made mobile by using DNA nanostructures that can be manipulated. Or they could be made functional by using genes ormolecular devices.
"We believe that functional capsules made from DNA, like the ones we have designed, could provide a new approach for developing capsular structures for artificial cell studies and molecular robotics," say Takinoue and Sato.
Next, the team will work on releasing cargo into the capsule, including DNA information processors, in response to specific stimuli.
Yusuke Sato and his team have a paper on Capsule-like DNA Hydrogels with Patterns Formed by Lateral Phase Separation of DNA. jacsau.1c00450 is a book.
The capsule-like DNA structures were made and manipulated for use in artificialmolecular systems.
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