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Cooperative Control of a DNA Origami Force Sensor

Robbins, Sarah Ariel
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1692387792714682

Abstract Details

2023, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Biophysics.
Most biomolecular systems are dependent on a complex interplay of forces and modern force spectroscopy techniques provide means of interrogating these forces. These techniques, however, are not optimized for studies in constrained or crowded environments as they typically require micron-scale beads in the case of magnetic or optical tweezers, or direct attachment to a cantilever in the case of atomic force microscopy. I implemented a nanoscale force-sensing device using DNA origami which is highly customizable in geometry, functionalization, and mechanical properties. The device, referred to as the NanoDyn, functions as a binary (open or closed) force sensor that undergoes a structural transition under an external force. The transition force is tuned with minor alterations of 1 to 3 DNA oligonucleotides and spans tens of picoNewtons (pN). This actuation of the NanoDyn is reversible and the design parameters strongly influence the efficiency of resetting the initial state, with higher stability devices (≳10 pN) resetting more reliably during repeated force-loading cycles. Finally, I show that the opening force can be adjusted in real time by the addition of a single DNA oligonucleotide. These results establish the NanoDyn as a versatile force sensor and provide fundamental insights into how design parameters modulate mechanical and dynamic properties. In a secondary study in collaboration with Johnston-Halperin Lab and Winter Lab, we demonstrate an alternate approach to triggering of DNA base pair release by means of an optical trigger. Gold nanoparticles conjugated to short single stranded DNA oligonucleotides were used as a bridging component for two DNA tethers. We showed that the presence of the gold nanoparticle conferred a means of achieving localized surface plasmon resonance resulting in local heating of the environment. This heating resulted in an increased probability that the DNA linkage adjacent to the gold surface was disrupted. These results are a step forward in the path towards implementation of composite materials capable of imparting site-specific, triggerable functionality.
Michael Poirier (Advisor)
Carlos Castro (Committee Member)
Ralf Bundschuh (Committee Member)
Ezekiel Johnston-Halperin (Committee Member)
241 p.
Biophysics
DNA Origami; DNA Nanotechnology; Force Sensor

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Robbins, S. A. (2023). Cooperative Control of a DNA Origami Force Sensor [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1692387792714682

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Robbins, Sarah. Cooperative Control of a DNA Origami Force Sensor. 2023. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1692387792714682.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Robbins, Sarah. "Cooperative Control of a DNA Origami Force Sensor." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1692387792714682

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1692387792714682
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© 2023, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.