Triggered DNA Nanopore Assembly for Membrane Leak Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional membrane-spanning nanopores are typically constitutively open, limiting their functional complexity and leading to leakiness, which reduces their application potential in analyte sensing and drug delivery.
Innovation Solution
The development of DNA nanotechnology to construct a functionally advanced membrane pore that assembles from a plurality of membrane surface-associated subunits following a defined triggered activation, integrating molecular recognition, repositioning, and assembly into a functional membrane-spanning channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional membrane-spanning nanopores are designed to be constitutively open, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to leakiness and background noise
Solution Approach 1:
The nanopore is designed with dynamic control capability, transitioning from a static constitutively open state to a dynamically controllable state. The pore can switch between closed and open states in response to external stimuli (light, chemical triggers), allowing it to adapt its functionality rather than remaining permanently open. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable closed states while maintaining operational control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the nanopore by introducing stimuli-responsive elements that alter the pore's conformational state. By using photo-switchable molecules or chemically responsive polymers, the pore's opening state can be controlled through parameter changes (light wavelength, chemical concentration), transforming it from a fixed open structure to a controllable system that can reliably close when needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If membrane-spanning nanopores are designed to be constitutively open, then ease of manufacture is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to cargo leakage and background noise
Solution Approach 1:
The nanopore is pre-configured with closed or partially closed conformation during manufacture, and the opening action is triggered only when needed. This preliminary closed state prevents cargo leakage and background noise during insertion and storage, while the triggering mechanism (light, chemical) enables opening only during active use, thereby eliminating harmful effects without complicating the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediary molecules (photo-switchable compounds, chemically responsive polymers) that mediate between the simple structural nanopore and the desired controlled opening function. These intermediaries allow the pore to remain structurally simple and easy to manufacture while adding the capability to close reliably, preventing cargo leakage and background noise through the intermediary's conformational changes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The controlled assembly of the nanopore achieves a fully closed state, reducing leakiness and enhancing the pores' application potential in sensing and drug delivery by providing a controlled turn-on signal and preventing background noise.
Implementation Method 1
DNA nanostructures have a highly controllable architecture which is based on predictable folding using base-pairing rules
Implementation Method 2
at least one hydrophobic anchor; and wherein the component modules are able to associate and interact with a surface of a semifluid membrane via the anchor
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of single stranded nucleic acid lock sequences that are capable of hybridising with the single stranded sequence of the assembly interface
Data Source
AI summary
A nucleic acid nanostructure is provided that comprises a plurality of component modules, each component module comprising a nucleic acid sequence and at least one membrane anchor. The plurality of component modules are capable of undertaking a controlled assembly in response to an external stimulus to form the nanostructure and also to penetrate a semifluid membrane upon or following the controlled assembly. Methods of assembling the nanostructure as well as uses in sensors, drug delivery and release of imaging substances are also provided.