Top > Research results > Constructed by Tohoku University, an artificial cell that increases DNA signals more than 5000 times in the human body temperature environment

2019/8/28

Constructed by Tohoku University, an artificial cell that increases DNA signals more than 5000 times in the human body temperature environment

University Journal Online Editorial Department

　A research group led by Associate Professor Shinichiro Nomura of Tohoku University, in collaboration with Tokyo Institute of Technology, constructed an artificial cell that can increase human-designed DNA by more than 5000 times at a temperature equivalent to body temperature.

　DNA is commonly referred to as the molecule that encodes a gene.On the other hand, it can also be used as a "signal molecule" for manually designing the base sequence of DNA and controlling the functions of artificial cells and molecular robots.However, in an environment where only a small amount of signal DNA exists, artificial cells do not work well, so a mechanism was needed to detect a small amount of signal DNA and amplify the signal inside the artificial cell.

　This time, the research group constructed an artificial cell that can increase DNA more than 37 times at a temperature equivalent to human body temperature (5000 ° C).The artificial cell constructed this time has a "DNA amplification circuit" incorporated inside the artificial cell membrane.This circuit can produce and amplify "output signal DNA" when it detects "input signal DNA" that turns on the switch of the amplifier circuit.Although errors often occur in such reaction circuits, we have succeeded in successfully incorporating an artificial nucleic acid called LNA to prevent errors.

　Furthermore, the performance of the amplifier circuit that occurs in the artificial cell was evaluated while changing the amount of signal DNA previously applied to the artificial cell.Then, it was confirmed that artificial cells can amplify DNA more than 2 times in about 5000 hours.We also succeeded in controlling the start of the DNA amplification reaction inside the artificial cell by irradiating it with light.This result will lead to spatiotemporal control of artificial cells, and is expected to develop as a technology for controlling constructed artificial cells.

　This achievement is expected to develop as an elemental technology for the development of artificial cells and molecular robots that detect trace amounts of target molecules to diagnose and treat cancer and take care of cells in the future. ..

Paper information:[Chemical Communications] Isothermal amplification of specific DNA molecules inside giant unilamellar vesicles

Tohoku University

Create excellent research results that will be the source of innovation, and develop talented human resources who will lead the next generation

Tohoku University has a rich culture and humanity based on the tradition of "research first principle" since its opening, the idea of ​​"opening the door" and the spirit of "respect for practical science", and is a phenomenon of human beings, society and nature. In response to this, human resources with the ability to carry out intellectual exploration with a "scientific mind", demonstrating their expertise in various fields from an international perspective and leading […]

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Tokyo Institute of Technology

The pinnacle of science and engineering university that continues to produce science and engineering people with high aspirations and a Japanese spirit, mastering the knowledge that creates the times, refining their skills

Tokyo Institute of Technology was established as the Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1881 (Meiji 14), when modernization of industry was an urgent need.Since its establishment, it has continued to produce excellent research results with excellent science and engineering human resources, and is still at the top of Japan's science and engineering universities.Tokyo Institute of Technology requires not only a high degree of specialization but also liberal arts […]

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