2021 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Fabrication of artificial muscles from biomolecular motors and DNA origami nanostructures
| Project/Area Number |
21K04846
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| Research Institution | Hokkaido University |
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Principal Investigator |
コビル アリフ 北海道大学, 理学研究院, 特任助教 (10724867)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
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| Keywords | Artificial muscles |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
In this project, I aim to fabricate artificial muscles from a biomolecular motor system and DNA nanostructures. So far, I have used the biomolecular motor system microtubule-kinesin and DNA origami nanostructures. I have prepared aster-like, self-organized microtubule super-structures using DNA-conjugated microtubules and DNA origami. I have also been able to fabricate a hierarchically organized microtubule network. The network exhibits global dynamic behavior when ATP is provided in the presence of kinesin molecules. Apart from the main goal of this work, I have been trying to perform some additional works. In those additional works, I have explored collective motion of microtubules and utilization of the collectively moving microtubules for transportation of nanoscale cargo materials.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
The current progress of the project is smooth as was planned initially. So far, no technical obstacles have been faced in this initial time of the project.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
As the future plan, I want to have a deep control on the global, dynamic behavior of the hierarchical microtubule network that was formed using DNA conjugated microtubules, and DNA origami nanostructures. More specifically I want to demonstrate contractile responsiveness of this microtubule network like the contraction of muscles in living organisms. I also plan to control the kinetic of dynamic contraction of the microtubule network by fine tuning the number of kinesin molecule that interacts with the microtubules.
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| Causes of Carryover |
The reason for incurring amount to be used for next fiscal year is to purchase necessary reagents and materials for performing experiments.
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