DNA Origami for Synthetic Biology

Gene expression control is the basis of biology. Construction of autonomous nano devices for gene expression control, thus is a major goal of synthetic biology. However, the past attempts have suffered by the limited design ability of the molecular layout of the related factors. Using the advantage of DNA origami, which is a suitable platform to precisely control the molecular layout, we have made a self-contained genetic circuit module, the nanochip, consisting of a RNAP, genes and logic gates. This nanochip is capable of environmental sensing, information computation and product output at the single-chip level, ensuring the rational design of gene expression. Our approach to component integration on a DNA origami platform may provide a basis for autonomous large-scale, integrated genetic circuits.