Monday, October 17, 2011

Self-replicating materials can be made by using DNA

A new production process enables us to create materials that have the capability to replicate themselves. The copy process relies on the same molecule that replicates itself in our bodies: DNA. Scientists succeeded in creating artificial materials based on a DNA-like structure that is able to copy itself in a way that is similar to how our genetic code is replicated in cells. In their experiments, the researchers made 'letters' that have a structure similar to DNA, which form a word. This word is placed in a chemical solution with other DNA-like molecules, sort of like a 'letter soup'. The molecular word is consequently copied, letter by letter, whereafter the copied word is the same as the original one. This replication process gives rise to new possibilities of creating materials, by making it cheaper and easier.

Individual letters, which the researchers have dubbed BTX molecules, consist of ten strands, or chains, of DNA. The structure consists of three helices: a helix is a double-stranded spiral structure that DNA forms when two strands bind each other. The remaining four strands of DNA form 'sticky ends', used to recognize other molecules of its kind. The triple helix molecule can thereby bind to complimentary siblings, forming a structure with a total of six helices.
A six helix structure.

To copy a structure, scientists place a molecular 'word', which functions as the seed, in a chemical solution that holds many other molecules. Through a heating process, molecules bind to each other and consequently disassociate. The created daughter molecule can then participate in a new round of self-replication, which produces molecules that are identical to the seed. Because each individual BTX molecule can only recognize others that have a complimentary structure, the same 'word' is formed after forming 'granddaughter' molecules. To put it simple: if A binds to B, then after one round of copying, the seed A will have produced daughter B. Consequently, B molecules are used in a new round of self-replication. Because A binds to B, in the second round, molecules A are created, thereby creating the same structures as the original seed. After the complimentary molecules have disassociated, and the copy process is completed, what remains is a freshly copied molecule that has exactly the same order of letters as its parent.

While this process is quite similar to how our body replicates DNA, no biological molecules were used. All components of the copy process are synthetic. This shows that self-replication is not limited to the body's own DNA replication machine: we can use it to create materials in a new way. The proof of principle with the molecular letters shows we are able to create different materials that always recognize their peers, showing a general copy process that can be used for a variety of structures. In the future, these structures may be used in all sorts of end products.

In the body, DNA is replicated by specialized machinery that opens up the DNA strands, whereafter individual DNA molecules (called nucleotides) get the change to bind, and form a new, complimentary strand of DNA. There are only four nucleotides, and they always connect to their sibling: A connects to T, and C connects to G. The letters stand for the individual molecules Adenine, Thymine, Guanine and Cytosine.

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