Kucinic, A. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2022

Translating DNA origami Nanotechnology to Middle School, High School, and Undergraduate Laboratories

DNA origami is a rapidly emerging nanotechnology that enables researchers to create nanostructures with unprecedented geometric precision that have tremendous potential to advance a variety of fields including molecular sensing, robotics, and nanomedicine. Hence, many students could benefit from exposure to basic knowledge of DNA origami nanotechnology. However, due to the complexity of design, cost of materials, and cost of equipment, experiments with DNA origami have been limited mainly to research institutions in graduate level laboratories with significant prior expertise and well- equipped laboratories. This work focuses on overcoming critical barriers to translating DNA origami methods to educational laboratory settings. In particular, we present a streamlined protocol for fabrication and analysis of DNA origami nanostructures that can be carried out within a 2-hour laboratory course using low-cost equipment, much of which is readily available in educational laboratories and science classrooms. We focus this educational experiment module on a DNA origami nanorod structure that was previously developed for drug delivery applications. In addition to fabricating nanostructures, we demonstrate a protocol for students to analyze structures via gel electrophoresis using classroom-ready gel equipment. These results establish a basis to expose students to DNA origami nanotechnology and can enable or reinforce valuable learning milestones in fields such as biomaterials, biological engineering, and nanomedicine. Furthermore, introducing students to DNA nanotechnology and related fields can also have the potential to increase interest and future involvement by young students. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=136 SRC="FIGDIR/small/508130v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (70K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@137f058org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1843271org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@bc9b4org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1e779af_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2020

Integrating computer-aided engineering and computer-aided design for DNA assemblies

Functional properties of modern engineering products result from merging the geometry and material properties of underlying components into sophisticated overall assemblies. The foundation of this design process is an integration of computer aided design (CAD) tools that allow rapid geometric modifications with robust simulation tools to guide design iterations (i.e. computer-aided engineering, CAE). Recently, DNA has been used to make nanodevices for a myriad of applications across fields including medicine, nanomanufacturing, synthetic biology, biosensing, and biophysics. However, currently these self-assembled DNA nanodevices rely primarily on geometric design, and hence, they have not demonstrated the same sophistication as real-life products. We present an iterative design pipeline for DNA assemblies that integrates CAE based on coarse-grained molecular dynamics with a versatile CAD approach that combines top-down automation with bottom-up control over geometry. This intuitive framework redefines the scope of structural complexity and enhances mechanical and dynamic design of DNA assemblies.

bioengineering↗