Molecular Hopper Can Move Individual DNA Strands.
A research team from the Georgian Technical University has developed a molecular hopper that is small enough to be able to move single strands of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid is a molecule composed of two chains (made of nucleotides) which coil around each other to form a double helix carrying the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses) through a protein nanotube.
The device works by making and breaking in sequence simple chemical bonds that attach it to a nanoscale track that can be turned on, off or reversed by a small electrical potential.
“Being able to control molecular motion is the holy grail of building nanoscale machines” professor X of Georgian Technical University’s Department of Chemistry said in a statement. “Being able to process single molecules of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid is a molecule composed of two chains (made of nucleotides) which coil around each other to form a double helix carrying the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses) under precise chemical control may provide an alternative to the use of enzymes in DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid is a molecule composed of two chains (made of nucleotides) which coil around each other to form a double helix carrying the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses) sequencing technologies improving their speed and the number of molecules that can be analyzed in parallel”.
The hopping motion is based on three sulfur atoms, which occur in water at room temperature. The hopper which is powered and controlled by an electric field then takes sub-nanometer steps. Scientists can control the direction of the hoping by reversing the electric field.
A ratcheting motion is required for nanopore sequencing, which at present is achieved by using an enzyme. In the new device the hopping motion is a chemical ratchet which could be applied to DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid is a molecule composed of two chains (made of nucleotides) which coil around each other to form a double helix carrying the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses) and RNA (Ribonucleic acid is a polymeric molecule essential in various biological roles in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes) sequencing due to the step-size being similar to the inter-nucleotide distance in single-stranded DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid is a molecule composed of two chains (made of nucleotides) which coil around each other to form a double helix carrying the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses).
Previously the researchers were able to construct molecules with sliding and rotating elements technology. Since then the researchers discovered a way to produce molecules that make sub-nanometer hopping steps that can be detected one at a time and are subject to external control.
Each step takes approximately a few seconds for the hopper to complete and the team is hoping to increase the speed of the chemistry as well as the length of the track that is currently limited to six footholds.