Molecular Gears:  A Pair of DNA Circles Continuously Rolls against Each Other

Abstract

A pair of DNA nanocircles has been constructed to model gears. The nanogears can move against each other continuously. Each gear consists of a DNA duplex circle and three single-stranded teeth. The teeth on the two gears are brought together by linker strands, which are complementary to the gear teeth. The teeth are separated from each other by removal of the linker strands with a strand displacement mechanism.