Scientists at Ohio State University have created a new way to model DNA robots that simplifies the work of specialists and helps to quickly design complex mechanisms that can perform useful functions. This is reported in an article published in the journal Nature Materials, briefly about the scientific work is described in a press release on Phys.org.
The researchers presented the MagicDNA program, which allows robots to be designed from DNA strands by combining molecules into complex structures that have rotors and hinges and are capable of performing various tasks, including drug delivery. Previously, it took specialists several days to develop such DNA devices, while the molecular mechanisms consisted of a maximum of five elements.
MagicDNA takes only a few minutes to develop a DNA robot, and the devices can be made up of more than 20 components, enabling them to perform complex functions. In addition, specialists can be engaged in the construction of a three-dimensional model of the robot both “bottom-up” and “top-down”. A bottom-up approach means building the desired structure out of individual strands of DNA. The second method is used when it is necessary to create a device of a certain geometric shape, after which the program automatically assembles it from DNA strands.
The program is also capable of simulating how DNA devices would move and work in the real world. This is especially important when developing complex devices whose behavior can be unpredictable.
Using MagicDNA, the researchers modeled and assembled several devices, including robotic arms and an airplane-like structure. According to scientists, it is possible to create more complex mechanisms that are not only able to detect a pathogen inside the human body, but also somehow react by capturing it or releasing a drug molecule.
