Fabrication of Artificial Muscle from Microtubules, Kinesins, and DNA Origami Nanostructures

Fabrication of molecular devices using biomolecules through biomimetic approaches has witnessed a surge in interest in recent years. DNA a versatile programmable material offers an opportunity to realize complicated operations through the designing of various nanostructures such as DNA origami. Here we describe the methods to use DNA origami for the self-assembly of the biomolecular motor system, microtubule (MT)-kinesin. A rodlike DNA origami motif facilitates the self-assembly of MTs into asters. A smooth muscle like molecular contraction system could be realized following the method where DNA mediated self-assembly of MTs permits dynamic contraction in the presence of kinesins through an energy dissipative process.