Synthetic Ion Channels and DNA Logic Gates as Components of Molecular Robots

Abstract

A molecular robot is a next-generation biochemical machine that imitates the actions of microorganisms. It is made of biomaterials such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. Three prerequisites have been proposed for the construction of such a robot: sensors, intelligence, and actuators. This Minireview focuses on recent research on synthetic ion channels and DNA computing technologies, which are viewed as potential candidate components of molecular robots. Synthetic ion channels, which are embedded in artificial cell membranes (lipid bilayers), sense ambient ions or chemicals and import them. These artificial sensors are useful components for molecular robots with bodies consisting of a lipid bilayer because they enable the interface between the inside and outside of the molecular robot to function as gates. After the signal molecules arrive inside the molecular robot, they can operate DNA logic gates, which perform computations. These functions will be integrated into the intelligence and sensor sections of molecular robots. Soon, these molecular machines will be able to be assembled to operate as a mass microrobot and play an active role in environmental monitoring and in vivo diagnosis or therapy.

Nanopore Decoding of Oligonucleotides in DNA Computing

“…Nanopore decoding might also contribute to molecular robotics . Molecular robots represent next‐generation biochemical machines comprised of biomaterials, such as DNA, proteins, and lipids, with the prerequisites of sensors, intelligence, and actuators proposed as requirements for the construction of such robots.…”

“…Nanopore decoding might also contribute to molecular robotics. [71,72] Molecular robots represent next-generation biochemical machines comprised of biomaterials, such as DNA, proteins, and lipids, with the prerequisites of sensors, intelligence, and actuators proposed as requirements for the construction of such robots. To develop sensors necessary to apply a level of "intelligence" to these robots, output decoding, using nanopores will be a valuable tool used to constructing the necessary parts.…”

Single‐Molecule Sensing with Nanopore Confinement: From Chemical Reactions to Biological Interactions

“…The amplitude, duration and frequency of the current signals shed light on characteristics of the analyte molecules such as molecular structure, size and charge as well as interactions between the molecule and the pore. These features allow for the accurate detection of a wide range of analytes from DNA, proteins and biomolecular complexes to nanoparticles and polymers in a variety of applications in biophysics and chemistry …”

Basic Design Elements for Tunable Cation Transport Using Picolinic‐Acid‐Incorporated Tetrapeptides

“…The movement of these ions across biological membranes is regulated by ion channel proteins. Ion channel mimics have been developed to understand the ion‐transport mechanism of natural proteins and also for use as therapeutics and molecular switches . The channel pore in these synthetic channels are either derived from functionalized macrocycles or via the self‐assembly of acyclic building blocks.…”

“…Ion channel mimics have been developed to understand the ion-transport mechanism of natural proteins and also for use as therapeutics [4][5][6][7] and molecular switches. [8][9][10][11] The channel pore in these synthetic channels are either derived from functionalized macrocycles or via the self-assembly of acyclic building blocks. [7] [12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Most synthetic channels have a hydrophobic region to facilitate membrane insertion along with an ion-recognition region to impart selectivity.…”