Optimizing the performance efficiency of highly polyvalent DNA-based motors Open Access

Abstract

Biological motors are at the core of all mechanical processes in biological systems as they convert chemical energy to mechanical work by hydrolyzing ATP. Recapitulating the properties of biological motors has been a goal of synthetic biology as it may allow for significant advancements in medicine and biotechnology. Addressing this, Yehl et al. have developed DNA-based motors that roll on an RNA chip and are among the fastest and most processive synthetic motors to date. However, the effect of parameters such as DNA leg length and enzyme concentration on the performance of the motors is largely unexplored. Here we analyze the relationship between motors with 12, 15, and 18 base pair (bp) leg-substrate lengths and motion output. Our results indicate that net displacement decreases with increasing leg length while processivity increases. DNA-based motors displaying 12 bp leg length were shown to deviate from self-avoiding random walk mechanisms that are demonstrated by 15 bp and 18 bp motors. We also show that the amount of substrate or fuel consumption increases with increasing DNA leg length. Finally, increasing enzyme concentration for motors with 18 bp leg length resulted in an increased displacement without sacrificing processivity. The findings presented in this work offer a guide towards constructing synthetic motors that could compete with biological motors and aid in the development of next generation sensors, robotics, and drug delivery.  

Table of Contents

1.   Introduction………………………………………………………………………………1

2.   Methods…………………………………………………………………………………12

3.   Results and discussion...………………………………………………….………......16

4.   Conclusions and future directions…………………………………………………….31

5.   References……………………………………………………………………………..32

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Chemistry
Degree	B.S.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Chemistry, Biochemistry Chemistry, Physical
Keyword	Nanotechnology Synthetic DNA motors
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Salaita, Khalid, Emory University
Committee Members	Conticello, Vincent, Emory University Dyer, Brian, Emory University

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