Build a tiny robot out of DNA and use it to study cellular processes invisible to the naked eye - not science fiction, but scientists at the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research (Inserm), the National Centre for Scientific Research and the University of Montpellier The subject of careful study. This highly innovative 'nanorobot' is able to more closely study the mechanical forces exerted at the microscopic level, which are critical for many biological and pathological processes and represent a major technological advance. The research was published in the latest issue of the journal Nature Communications.
Human cells are subjected to mechanical forces applied at the microscopic scale, triggering biological signals necessary for many cellular processes involved in the normal functioning of the body or the development of disease. For example, tactile perception depends in part on the application of mechanical forces to specific cellular receptors. In addition to touch, these mechanosensitive receptors (called "mechanoreceptors") regulate other key biological processes such as blood vessel constriction, pain perception, breathing, and even detection of sound waves in the ear.
Dysfunction of this cellular mechanosensitivity has been implicated in many diseases, including cancer. Cancer cells migrate in vivo by probing and continually adapting to the mechanical properties of their microenvironment. Mechanoreceptors detect specific forces and transmit information to the cytoskeleton.
Currently, scientists' understanding of these molecular mechanisms involved in cellular mechanosensitivity is still very limited. Several techniques exist for applying controlled forces and studying these mechanisms, but there are limitations.
To find an alternative, the research team led by Inserm researcher Gaetan Berth decided to use the DNA folding method, in which DNA molecules are used as building materials to self-assemble 3D nanostructures in a predefined form.
Researchers have designed nanorobots composed of 3 DNA folded structures that are compatible in size with the dimensions of human cells, making it possible for the first time to apply and control forces with a resolution of 1 piconewton, or one trillionth of a newton. possible. This is the first time a human-made, DNA-based self-assembled object has been able to apply force with such precision.
The team first linked the robot to a molecule that recognizes mechanoreceptors. This makes it possible for the robot to point at some cells in the body and specifically apply force to directional mechanoreceptors located on the cell surface to activate them.
The researchers say this tool is valuable for basic research as it can be used to better understand the molecular mechanisms of cellular mechanosensitivity and to discover new cellular receptors that are sensitive to mechano-forces. With nanorobots, scientists are also able to study more precisely when forces are applied, when key signaling pathways for biological and pathological processes are activated at the cellular level.
