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April 11th, 2025
Version: 2
Ben Gurion university
biophysics
biorxiv

A High-Performance and Recoverable DNA Origami Rotary Motor

Shapira, H.Open in Google Scholar•Sheheade, B.Open in Google Scholar•Basak, S.Open in Google Scholar•Khara, D.Open in Google Scholar•Nir, E.Open in Google Scholar

Inspired by biological molecular machines, we developed a highly processive DNA origami rotary motor. The rotor consists of two disk-shaped DNA origamis that are connected by a single-stranded swivel that allows free rotation but prevents rotor dissociation in the event of operational error. The rotor is propelled by two bipedal walkers that stride on a circular DNA track propelled by a previously optimized DNA propulsion mechanism called "fuel before antifuel". The DNA fuel and antifuel strands are delivered by a microfluidic device. The rotation is monitored by a single-molecule, light scattering, defocused imaging technique; light scattered from a gold nanorod attached to the rotor enables high angular and temporal resolution analyses of rotor orientation. Imaging movies show individual rotors performing 96 individual steps, corresponding to 8 full rotor revolutions, with direction determined by the fuel and antifuel sequence. In cases of operational errors, which result in free Brownian rotation, the rotors were able to recover and continue rotating as commanded. Our origami-based rotary motor design, microfluidics-based control system, and high-resolution monitoring of rotor orientation will facilitate the development of DNA-based machines driven by autonomous propulsion.

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