Molecules autonomously propelled by polymerizing DNA strands
Date: 23.9.2007
Scientists from the California Institute of Technology have fabricated a motor that runs autonomously, and is powered only by the free energy of **DNA hybridization**. The molecular motor was inspired by bacterial pathogens such as **Rickettsia rickettsii** that propel themselves through host cells by polymerizing protein “comet tails.” The synthetic mimic operates by polymerizing a double-helical DNA tail out of metastable DNA hairpins (a pattern named for its 180-degree turn).
"PhysOrg":[ http://physorg.com/news108291145.html]
