Close Menu
  • News
  • Medical
  • Technology
  • Nanomaterials
  • Research
  • Blog
    • Nasiol.com
  • Contact
    • Tech7685@gmail.com
What's Hot

Naturally derived nanoparticles show promise against cardiovascular and kidney disease

June 6, 2025

Ballistic electrons chart a new course for next-gen terahertz devices

June 6, 2025

‘Stealthy’ lipid nanoparticles give mRNA vaccines a makeover

June 5, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Nanotech – Nanomaterials | Medical | Research | News Stories Updated Daily Nanotech – Nanomaterials | Medical | Research | News Stories Updated Daily
  • News
  • Medical
  • Technology
  • Nanomaterials
  • Research
  • Blog
    • Nasiol.com
  • Contact
    • Tech7685@gmail.com
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Nanotech – Nanomaterials | Medical | Research | News Stories Updated Daily Nanotech – Nanomaterials | Medical | Research | News Stories Updated Daily
Home»News»Logical operations using RNA droplets
News

Logical operations using RNA droplets

June 17, 2024No Comments3 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Telegram LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Telegram Email
Untapped power: logical operations using RNA droplets
Researchers introduce computational RNA droplets capable of performing two-input AND logic operations, offering a flexible approach for programmable assembly of biomolecular devices and artificial cells. Credit: Tokyo Institute of Technology

RNA droplets can now be used to perform logical operations that take microRNA sequences as inputs, report scientists from Tokyo Tech. By self-assembling into network-like structures, RNA molecules form liquid-state droplets. These RNA droplets disperse only when the correct microRNA sequences are present by performing the logical AND operation. This innovative strategy could pave the way to advances in biomolecular sensing, artificial cells, and computational biodevices.

DNA and RNA encode genetic information and are involved in protein synthesis. In DNA/RNA nanotechnology, their information-processing capabilities are harnessed to form programmable 2D/3D structures. In recent years, DNA droplets, liquid-state condensates of synthetic DNA, have attracted increasing attention as molecular sensing and biocomputational devices.

While DNA droplets have captured the spotlight in this advanced research field, their RNA counterparts can be just as powerful, if not more. Compared to DNA, RNA has much more varied functions besides its role in protein synthesis. Additionally, it can adopt a broad array of molecular structures. Unfortunately, despite its versatility, few studies have explored the untapped potential of RNA droplets as a tool for biocomputing and bio-nanotechnology.

Against this backdrop, a team of researchers, including Professor Masahiro Takinoue and post-doctoral researcher Hirotake Udono from Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, set out to develop a new type of “computational RNA droplets,” which can be used to perform logic operations akin to electronic devices. Their study findings were published on June 3 in ACS Nano.

These programmable RNA droplets are constructed through RNA’s capabilities for sequence recognition and secondary structure formation. “Our approach is based on the kissing loop (KL) interaction, which occurs between two internally folded single-stranded RNAs,” explains Takinoue. “This enables the self-assembly of these folded structures into stable complex structures.”

See also  Dual-miRNA triggered DNA nanomachine for breast cancer subtype detection and treatment

Simply put, the researchers carefully engineered the nucleotide sequence of the RNA strands so that they would spontaneously assemble into predetermined molecular structures, which also attract each other to form a large-scale network.

The phase-state controllability of RNA droplets is underlain by a type of key-and-lock mechanism that can only be ‘opened’ by a specific microRNA sequence. Due to the way the RNA structures were designed, only when two given microRNA sequences are present at the same time will the network disassemble into chain-like structures. When this happens, it causes a noticeable change in the phase of the RNA droplets, which become more dispersed in the solution.

In computational terms, the proposed RNA droplets can effectively perform the logical AND operation, taking two microRNA sequences as inputs. The researchers also stated that designing similar RNA droplets for other logical operations is also possible.

This versatility could prove useful in several applications, as Takinoue remarks, “Our computational RNA droplets can be applied to the in situ programmable assembly of computational biomolecular devices and artificial cells from transcriptionally derived RNA within biological or artificial cells.”

On top of this, these RNA droplets hold much promise as convenient diagnostic tools. Since they can detect the presence of specific RNA sequences, they can be used to look for disease biomarkers. “Unlike previously reported submicroscopic RNA-based logic operators, the macroscopic phase change of our RNA droplets provides a readout for molecular sensing that can be distinguished with the naked eye,” says Takinoue.

Overall, this study highlights RNA’s dual role as both a tool and a building block for versatile bioengineering devices.

See also  Generation of lossy mode resonances using perovskite nanofilms

Provided by
Tokyo Institute of Technology



Source link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Naturally derived nanoparticles show promise against cardiovascular and kidney disease

June 6, 2025

Ballistic electrons chart a new course for next-gen terahertz devices

June 6, 2025

‘Stealthy’ lipid nanoparticles give mRNA vaccines a makeover

June 5, 2025

Single-layer waveguide display uses achromatic metagratings for more compact augmented reality eyewear

June 5, 2025

2D hybrid material integrates graphene and silica glass for next-generation electronics

June 4, 2025

Zeolite nanopore model links crystal size to metal cluster migration and catalyst performance

June 4, 2025

Comments are closed.

Top Articles
News

Improved lipid-polymer nanoparticle could advance inhalable mRNA medications and vaccines

News

Is it Worth Investing in Graphene?

News

Researchers develop nanoparticle array implantation for sensitive and reusable detection

Editors Picks

Naturally derived nanoparticles show promise against cardiovascular and kidney disease

June 6, 2025

Ballistic electrons chart a new course for next-gen terahertz devices

June 6, 2025

‘Stealthy’ lipid nanoparticles give mRNA vaccines a makeover

June 5, 2025

Single-layer waveguide display uses achromatic metagratings for more compact augmented reality eyewear

June 5, 2025
About Us
About Us

Your go-to source for the latest nanotechnology breakthroughs. Explore innovations, applications, and implications shaping the future at the molecular level. Stay informed, embrace the nano-revolution.

We're accepting new partnerships right now.

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
Our Picks

Green tea-derived nanosilver complex displays anti-melanoma activity

February 11, 2025

Study shows optical excitation of hot carriers enables ultrafast dynamic control of nanoscale plasmons

May 22, 2024

Making robotic surgery safer and more precise with a human touch

April 3, 2025

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative Nano Tech news from Elnano.com

© 2025 Elnano.com - All rights reserved.
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Cleantalk Pixel