TUM researchers build DNA origami switch with million-cycle endurance
Technical University of Munich researchers have developed a robust DNA origami switch that operates electrically and remains functional for over one million actuations.
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have engineered a stable DNA origami switch, capable of toggling between two positions using brief electrical pulses.
The nanoscale device shifts state within milliseconds and maintains its configuration without continuous power. Laboratory tests confirmed its functionality for over 200,000 cycles, with a separate setup demonstrating reliable operation for approximately one million actuations.
This development addresses the need for durable components in programmable molecular machines. The switch utilizes DNA origami, a technique that folds DNA strands into precise nanoscale shapes, enabling the creation of structures with defined functions.
The team also demonstrated potential applications, including controlling an optical signal via gold nanorods and regulating access to a DNA binding site. While these findings may support future molecular information processing and optical nanodevices, further development is needed for their use beyond laboratory settings.