Three approaches to assembling nano-bio-machines using molecular motors |
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Authors: | Yuichi Hiratsuka Takashi Kamei Noboru Yumoto Taro Q P Uyeda |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, 153-8505 Tokyo, Japan;(2) Research Institute for Cell Engineering, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 305-8562 Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan |
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Abstract: | Efforts to use protein molecular motors as nanoactuators are making rapid progress. For instance, it is now possible to carry
out directional transport of small cargo along microtracks or microchannels using kinesin-microtubule systems, which could
be the basis of micro-conveyor belts or molecular shuttles. However, the applicability of protein-based devices is limited
by their poor stability in artificial environments. In addition, assembly of complex, intelligent microdevices or systems
will likely require bottom-up self-assembly, and we still do not have sufficient knowledge to rationally design self-assembling
protein-based microdevices or systems. One approach to solving the problems associated with protein-based systems is to use
DNA-based nanodevices, which are amenable to rational design. Indeed, ingenious design has enabled realization of DNA-based
nanoactuators and self-assembled micropatterns of various shapes. One also could use cells, organelles, or tissues as preassembled
motile units, and several motile devices have already been realized using this approach. In addition to being less prone to
the assemaly problems, cell-based microdevices have the advantage that the motile units reproduce themselves, and genetically
encoded functional modifications can be replicated effortlessly. These protein-based, DNA-based, and cell-based systems each
have distinct advantages and disadvantages, so that hybrid devices combining the best characteristics of all three would seem
the most likely to succeed. |
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Keywords: | Kinesin microtubules DNA self-assembly cell-based microdevices |
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