Constructing a tiny robot out of DNA and using it to study cell processes unnoticeable to the naked eye … Although it definitely sounds like science fiction, it is in truth the subject of serious research by researchers from Inserm, CNRS, and Université de Montpellier at the Structural Biology Center in Montpellier. Cancer, for example: cancer cells move within the body by sounding and continuously adjusting to the mechanical properties of their microenvironment. Such adaptation is possible only because particular forces are detected by mechanoreceptors that send the info to the cell cytoskeleton.
At present, our understanding of these molecular mechanisms involved in cell mechanosensitivity is still extremely limited. In particular, they are extremely pricey and do not permit us to study numerous cell receptors at a time, which makes their use very lengthy if we desire to collect a lot of data.
The dysfunction of this cellular mechanosensitivity is in fact associated with numerous illness. Cancer, for instance: cancer cells migrate within the body by sounding and constantly adjusting to the mechanical properties of their microenvironment. Due to the fact that particular forces are found by mechanoreceptors that transmit the information to the cell cytoskeleton, such adaptation is possible only.
At present, our understanding of these molecular mechanisms involved in cell mechanosensitivity is still really minimal. A number of innovations are already readily available to apply regulated forces and study these systems, however they have a variety of limitations. In particular, they are really pricey and do not permit us to study several cell receptors at a time, which makes their use very lengthy if we wish to gather a great deal of information.
DNA origami structures
In order to propose an option, the group of researchers led by Inserm researcher Gaëtan Bellot at the Structural Biology Center (Inserm/CNRS/Universit é de Montpellier) chose to use the DNA origami method. This makes it possible for the self-assembly of 3D nanostructures in a pre-defined kind utilizing the DNA particle as a construction product. Over the last ten years, the method has actually allowed significant advances in the field of nanotechnology.
Because it is of nanometric size, it is for that reason compatible with the size of a human cell. It makes it possible for the first time to use and manage a force with a resolution of 1 piconewton, namely one trillionth of a Newton– with 1 Newton corresponding to the force of a finger clicking on a pen.
To start, the scientists paired the robot with a particle that recognizes a mechanoreceptor. This made it possible to assist the robotic to a few of our cells and specifically apply forces to targeted mechanoreceptors localized on the surface area of the cells in order to activate them.
Such a tool is really valuable for basic research, as it could be utilized to better comprehend the molecular systems associated with cell mechanosensitivity and find brand-new cell receptors sensitive to mechanical forces. Thanks to the robot, the researchers will likewise be able to study more specifically at what minute, when applying force, crucial signaling paths for many biological and pathological processes are activated at the cell level.
” The style of a robot making it possible for the in vitro and in vivo application of piconewton forces meets a growing need in the clinical neighborhood and represents a significant technological advance. The biocompatibility of the robotic can be thought about both an advantage for in vivo applications but may also represent a weakness with level of sensitivity to enzymes that can deteriorate DNA.
Reference: “A Modular Spring-Loaded Actuator for Mechanical Activation of Membrane Proteins” 28 July 2022, Nature Communications.DOI: 10.1038/ s41467-022-30745-2.
Notes.
Using DNA to develop a “nano-robot” to check out tiny cell processes up close.
Constructing a tiny robotic out of DNA and using it to study cell procedures undetectable to the naked eye … Although it certainly seems like science fiction, it is in truth the topic of severe research study by researchers from Inserm, CNRS, and Université de Montpellier at the Structural Biology Center in Montpellier. [1] This highly innovative “nano-robot” ought to make it possible for a better research study of the mechanical forces applied at tiny levels, which are important for many biological and pathological processes. It is explained in a brand-new study to be published today (July 28, 2022) in the journal Nature Communications.
Mechanical forces are put in on our cells on a tiny scale. They activate biological signals necessary to numerous cell processes associated with the typical functioning of our body or in the advancement of diseases.
For example, the feeling of touch is partially conditional on the application of mechanical forces on particular cell receptors (the discovery of which was rewarded this year by the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine). In addition to touch, these receptors that are delicate to mechanical forces (referred to as mechanoreceptors) allow the guideline of other essential biological processes such as blood vessel tightness, breathing, discomfort perception, and even the detection of acoustic waves in the ear.
Contributed to this research: the Institute of Functional Genomics (CNRS/Inserm/Universit é de Montpellier), the Max Mousseron Biomolecules Institute (CNRS/Universit é de Montpellier/ENSCM), the Paul Pascal Research Center (CNRS/Universit é de Bordeaux) and the Physiology and Experimental Medicine: Heart-Muscles laboratory (CNRS/Inserm/Universit é de Montpellier).