Forget metals, chemists use DNA to construct world’s tiniest antenna

0
51

A staff of researchers from the University of Montreal has developed a nanoantenna fabricated from DNA (nucleic acid) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) to check modifications within the construction of protein molecules.

These fluorescent nanoantennas supply a definite benefit over fluorescent dyes which can be used ubiquitously in biotechnology. The latter ‘shows a low affinity for proteins’, whereas these nanoantennas are in a position to detect even the smallest modifications. In nanoantennas, the dye is certain to a particular area of the protein, which depends on the protein’s construction and chemistry.

The antenna additionally carried out effectively when used to probe enzyme kinetics, i.e. the velocity at which a response proceeds within the presence of an enzyme. It remained steady even at excessive temperatures. The findings have been revealed final month In nature’s method,

The staff defined that the nanoantenna acts like a two-way radio that may obtain and transmit radio waves. It receives gentle in a single wavelength, and relying on the protein it senses, it transmits gentle in one other coloration and might be detected and studied.

“In addition to helping us understand how natural nanomachines work or malfunction, resulting in disease, this new method can help chemists identify new drugs as well as guide nanoengineers to develop better nanomachines. may also help,” Dominic Lauzon, co-author. research, mentioned in a press launch.

The nanoantenna was additionally in a position to move muster with respect to protein-protein interactions. “DNA-based nanoantennas can be synthesized with different lengths and flexibility to optimize their function,” argues Scott Aaron, first creator of the research.

“One can easily attach a fluorescent molecule to DNA, and then attach this fluorescent nanoantenna to a biological nanomachine such as an enzyme.” Study’s corresponding creator Alexis Veli-Belisle mentioned they’re “most excited by the truth that many laboratories all over the world, that are geared up with a standard spectrofluorometer, can readily make use of these nanoantennas.[e] To research your favourite proteins, resembling to determine new medicine or develop new nanotechnology.

,
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS

Leave a reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here