Nucleic Acid Wireframe for Reversible Folding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current DNA origami techniques require designing and synthesizing new structures for various shapes, making it difficult to achieve flexible transformation and modification due to internal rigidity, limiting the ability to repeatedly fold and unfold structures in different directions.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a nucleic acid wireframe with single-stranded nucleic acids bound symmetrically to crease line segments, treated with complementary and non-complementary sequences to allow for flexible folding and unfolding, utilizing a second single-stranded nucleic acid to immobilize the structure and a third to separate it, along with fluorescent materials for detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If DNA origami technique is used to create structured nanostructures, then atomic-level precision and desired shapes are achieved, but the structures have internal rigidity that prevents flexible transformation and repeated folding/unfolding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveatomic-level precisionVSAvoidflexible transformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The DNA structure is divided into distinct functional domains: rigid structural regions that maintain atomic-level precision and flexible hinge regions containing single-stranded DNA segments that enable repeated folding and unfolding. This segmentation allows different parts of the structure to serve different functions - some parts maintain precision while others provide flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dynamic elements through single-stranded DNA hinges that can reversibly transition between folded and unfolded states. These dynamic regions contrast with the static, rigid structural regions, allowing the overall structure to transform while maintaining manufacturing precision in the fixed portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Shape

If new DNA origami structures are designed and synthesized for various shapes, then desired structural characteristics are achieved, but it requires designing and synthesizing a new structure each time, reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevarious shapesVSAvoiddesign and synthesis efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A universal DNA wireframe structure is created that can serve multiple functions and be transformed into various shapes through controlled folding. Instead of designing separate structures for each shape, the same wireframe can be folded into different configurations, making the system multi-functional and increasing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention allows transformation between different shapes by changing parameters such as the folding state of hinge regions, the conformation of single-stranded DNA segments, and the spatial arrangement of structural elements. These parameter changes enable one structure to adopt multiple shapes without requiring redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If DNA structures are made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then stability is improved, but modification and folding capability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidfolding capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The structure is segmented into rigid structural regions that maintain integrity and flexible hinge regions that enable folding. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by localizing rigidity where structural integrity is needed and flexibility where folding capability is required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the DNA structure have different mechanical properties: structural regions have high rigidity for stability, while hinge regions have low rigidity for folding. This local differentiation of quality allows the structure to simultaneously achieve stability and ease of operation in different locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables the preparation of nucleic acid structures that can be repeatedly folded and unfolded in various directions, facilitating flexible design and detection of target nucleic acids, enhancing the versatility and functionality of DNA nanostructures.

Implementation Method 1

a first portion (i 35) including a sequence complementary to the pair of first single-stranded nucleic acids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComplementary base pairing: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a second single-stranded nucleic acid to immobilize the structure and a third to separate it, along with fluorescent materials for detection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS20230167439A1Method for preparing nucleic acid structure

Publication Date: 2023.06.01 SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY R&DB FOUNDATION

AI summary

A method for preparing a nucleic acid structure capable of being repeatedly folded and unfolded in various directions uses a nucleic acid wireframe having a plurality of line segments. The method implements various types of nucleic acid origami on the nanoscale by designing a crease pattern along the line segment of the nucleic acid wireframe.