An artificial structure has been created that can self-replicate like a DNA molecule
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Chemists created an artificial structure capable of self-reproducing like a DNA molecule. It's not far off the time when materials will multiply themselves, scientists believe. DNA Idea
The constituent parts, which are based on nucleotides - the "bricks" of DNA, serve as the letters that combine in word. But unlike the double helix DNA, a single element of an artificial material consists of three parallel chains of nucleotides seven bases long. They (the bases) are connected by one perpendicular fragment of the spiral, on the outer surface of which there are chemical "keys". They control what molecules can join this section of the chain.
This system - a bundle of three single spirals connected by three double helices of DNA, chemists called BTX (bent triple helix molecules containing three DNA double helices). Scientists write that such fragments are capable of uniting into extended chains. And, theoretically, the number of unique components of synthetic material is unlimited.
A group of scientists led by Paul Chaikin from New York University (USA) used his invention to create a "puzzle" of two parts and their complementary twins.
In a tube with a set of BTX chains, chemists added a substance initiating the assembly process. As a result, individual parts of the "puzzle" were complementarily connected to each other - they found each other in accordance with the type of "keyholes" and "keys".
Chemists write that at the first stage the "puzzle" component joined the free end of the initiator substance. Then the chain reaction began, and other components were pulled to the molecular "puzzle". Up to the third generation
The obtained chains of chemists were used to obtain similar daughter molecules. Heating the mixture of parent and daughter chains to the temperature of hydrogen bond rupture (about 40 ° C), chemists divided the mixture into molecules of two generations. Further analysis showed that about 70% of the daughter chains ideally repeated the structure of the maternal molecule.
The Chaikin team received the next generation of the parent molecule. True, in the third generation the accuracy of copying has significantly worsened: the device of the original molecule was completely repeated by only 31% of the "descendants" - grandchildren of the first molecule.
The authors of the article published in Nature believe that by changing the chemical properties of the components of the "puzzle" they can save the technological process from having to heat the mixture after each copy procedure. If chemists realize their idea, then probably there will be synthetic systems that multiply without human participation.
"We have shown that not only DNA and RNA molecules can reproduce themselves. Our development is the first step towards the creation of artificial self-replicating materials, "the inventors conclude.
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