Amazing stuff!
"... researchers report. Dubbed the NanoGripper, the nanorobotic hand also could be programmed to interact with other viruses or to recognize cell surface markers for targeted drug delivery, such as for cancer treatment. ...
Inspired by the gripping power of the human hand and bird claws, the researchers designed the NanoGripper with four bendable fingers and a palm, all in one nanostructure folded from a single piece of DNA. Each finger has three joints, like a human finger, and the angle and degree of bending are determined by the design on the DNA scaffold. ...
The fingers contain regions called DNA aptamers that are specially programmed to bind to molecular targets—the spike protein of the virus that causes COVID-19, for this first application—and trigger the fingers to bend to wrap around the target. On the opposite side, where the wrist would be, the NanoGripper can attach to a surface or other larger complex for biomedical applications such as sensing or drug delivery. ..."
The fingers contain regions called DNA aptamers that are specially programmed to bind to molecular targets—the spike protein of the virus that causes COVID-19, for this first application—and trigger the fingers to bend to wrap around the target. On the opposite side, where the wrist would be, the NanoGripper can attach to a surface or other larger complex for biomedical applications such as sensing or drug delivery. ..."
From the editor's summary and abstract:
"Editor’s summary
Recent DNA nanostructures have been functionalized to detect or block viruses but have lacked the dexterity to grasp individual virus particles. Here, Zhou et al. designed and synthesized a DNA NanoGripper from a single DNA origami piece that resembles a hand with a palm and four bendable finger-like structures. The NanoGripper’s fingers can be functionalized with ssDNA or aptamers to recognize and bind to different targets such as gold nanoparticles and SARS-CoV-2. Experiments showed that the NanoGripper can successfully detect SARS-CoV-2 virions in a human saliva sample with comparable sensitivity to a PCR test and has the potential to inhibit virus infections. ...
Abstract
DNA has shown great biocompatibility, programmable mechanical properties, and precise structural addressability at the nanometer scale, rendering it a material for constructing versatile nanorobots for biomedical applications. Here, we present the design principle, synthesis, and characterization of a DNA nanorobotic hand, called DNA NanoGripper, that contains a palm and four bendable fingers as inspired by naturally evolved human hands, bird claws, and bacteriophages. Each NanoGripper finger consists of three phalanges connected by three rotatable joints that are bendable in response to the binding of other entities. NanoGripper functions are enabled and driven by the interactions between moieties attached to the fingers and their binding partners. We demonstrate that the NanoGripper can be engineered to effectively interact with and capture nanometer-scale objects, including gold nanoparticles, gold NanoUrchins, and SARS-CoV-2 virions. With multiple DNA aptamer nanoswitches programmed to generate a fluorescent signal that is enhanced on a photonic crystal platform, the NanoGripper functions as a highly sensitive biosensor that selectively detects intact SARS-CoV-2 virions in human saliva with a limit of detection of ~100 copies per milliliter, providing a sensitivity equal to that of reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Quantified by flow cytometry assays, we demonstrated that the NanoGripper-aptamer complex can effectively block viral entry into the host cells, suggesting its potential for inhibiting virus infections. The design, synthesis, and characterization of a sophisticated nanomachine that can be tailored for specific applications highlight a promising pathway toward feasible and efficient solutions to the detection and potential inhibition of virus infections."
Nanorobot hand made of DNA grabs viruses for diagnostics and blocks cell entry (original news release)
Illinois researchers developed a nanorobotic hand made of DNA that can grab viruses for detection or inhibition. In this artist’s rendering, three “NanoGripper” hands wrap around a COVID-19 virus.
Inspired by the human hand or bird claws, the NanoGripper has four fingers and a palm, all folded from one piece of DNA.
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