Using gene regulation to program DNA-based molecular devices

The operation of the DNA nanomachines, which can be controlled in vitro using gene regulation switches, was investigated. Two strategies were explored to turn genes on and off where the first strategy was based on competitive binding to the gene between LexA and RNA polymerase, the second one was based on the physical obstruction of the polymerase by the placement of a LacIobstacle downstream on the gene. The expression of genes occurred in two steps of transcription and translation. Under standard in vitro transcription condition, the gene without LacI protein allowed an mRNA signal to be transcribed that closed the tweezers. It was shown that nanomachines can be made to function independently with the inclusion of a gene containing the instructions that is controlled through gene regulation mechanisms. It is possible to program nanomachines to complete a complex series of tasks according to environmental changes by combing various natural genetic switches.