DNA-based crosstalk nanorobot mimicking amoeba type of slime funguses

Abstract

Toward the realization of the intelligent control of internal and external environments, we have presented a DNA-based nanorobot that can communicate with bacteria. This nanomachine has the potential ability to recognize signals of bacterial cell-cell communication called quorum sensing and produce antibiotic aptamers. We have succeeded in demonstrating that the synthetic DNA robot mimicking slime funguses can serve an effective ON-OFF control system for the aptamer transcription in response to quorum sensing signals. Our results indicate that the DNA nanotechnology can provide promising nanometer-sized machines for the effective control of the bacterial population balance by the appropriate antibiotic aptamer transcription.