The research group led by Associate Professor Masahiro Takinoue of Tokyo Institute of Technology has succeeded for the first time in the world in developing an artificial cell that mimics a cell membrane with a DNA nanoplate made from DNA origami.This achievement is based on joint research with Tohoku University, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, University of Tokyo, and Kyoto University.

 So far, attempts have been made to construct artificial cells (microcapsules, which are generally covered with lipid molecules having the same composition as the cell membrane) having an artificial membrane that imitates the cell membrane. It was difficult to design and manufacture a certain film.To achieve this, it was necessary to use colloidal particles made of a substance whose properties and functions can be freely designed.

 The research group is hydrophobic and hydrophilic with DNA origami (two-dimensional and three-dimensional DNA nanostructures woven with long single-stranded DNA and many short single-stranded DNAs) made from DNA, which is a biopolymer. We designed and produced a bisexual DNA nanostructure (DNA nanoplate) that has both sexes.Using this DNA nanoplate as a kind of nano-sized colloidal particles, a film covering water droplets in oil was formed, and minute capsules were realized.Furthermore, by making nano-sized pores in the DNA nanoplate, we succeeded in transporting ions between microcapsules and realizing a function similar to that of an ion channel in a cell membrane.

 The microcapsule technology, which is the result of this research, can be a technology that allows individual functions of cells to be installed like computer software, taking advantage of the fact that the properties and functions of the membrane can be freely designed from the base sequence of DNA.In the future, it is expected to be applied to molecular robots with sensation and intelligence by molecular sensors and computers, engineering research of life science, and pharmaceutical research such as drug delivery.

Paper information:[Angewandte Chemie International Edition] DNA Origami Nanoplate-Based Emulsion with Nanopore Function

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