nl304147f_si_001.pdf (9.25 MB)
Self-Assembled DNA Nanopores That Span Lipid Bilayers
journal contribution
posted on 2016-02-19, 06:24 authored by Jonathan
R. Burns, Eugen Stulz, Stefan HoworkaDNA
nanotechnology excels at rationally designing bottom-up structures
that can functionally replicate naturally occurring proteins. Here
we describe the design and generation of a stable DNA-based nanopore
that structurally mimics the amphiphilic nature of protein pores and
inserts into bilayers to support a steady transmembrane flow of ions.
The pore carries an outer hydrophobic belt comprised of small chemical
alkyl groups which mask the negatively charged oligonucleotide backbone.
This modification overcomes the otherwise inherent energetic mismatch
to the hydrophobic environment of the membrane. By merging the fields
of nanopores and DNA nanotechnology, we expect that the small membrane-spanning
DNA pore will help open up the design of entirely new molecular devices
for a broad range of applications including sensing, electric circuits,
catalysis, and research into nanofluidics and controlled transmembrane
transport.