A DNA molecular printer capable of programmable positioning and patterning in two dimensions

• Main Authors: Bath, J. (Author), Benson, E. (Author), Marzo, R.C (Author), Turberfield, A.J (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: NLM (Medline) 2022
• Subjects: chemistry; conformation; DNA; nanotechnology; Nanotechnology; Nucleic Acid Conformation; oligonucleotide; Oligonucleotides; printing; Printing; procedures
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 Nanoscale manipulation and patterning usually require costly and sensitive top-down techniques such as those used in scanning probe microscopies or in semiconductor lithography. DNA nanotechnology enables exploration of bottom-up fabrication and has previously been used to design self-assembling components capable of linear and rotary motion. In this work, we combine three independently controllable DNA origami linear actuators to create a nanoscale robotic printer. The two-axis positioning mechanism comprises a moveable gantry, running on parallel rails, threading a mobile sleeve. We show that the device is capable of reversibly positioning a write head over a canvas through the addition of signaling oligonucleotides. We demonstrate "write" functionality by using the head to catalyze a local DNA strand-exchange reaction, selectively modifying pixels on a canvas. This work demonstrates the power of DNA nanotechnology for creating nanoscale robotic components and could find application in surface manufacturing, biophysical studies, and templated chemistry.