Researchers from UCLA and the University of Rome Tor Vergata have created synthetic genes that mimic the function of genes in living cells.

These artificial genes can construct complex structures inside cells by following a sequence similar to how furniture is assembled from modular parts at IKEA.

The process involves self-assembly where small parts come together to form larger, structured items. Simple building blocks, suitably programmed, make complex biomolecular materials.  The same components can also break up different materials. 

“Our work suggests a way toward scaling up the complexity of biomolecular materials by taking advantage of the timing of molecular instructions for self-assembly,” says research co-leader Elisa Franco in a UCLA press release.

She adds that this approach can generate distinct materials that can “spontaneously ‘develop’ from the same finite set of parts by simply rewiring the elements that control the temporal order of assembly.”

The researchers describe the methods and results of this study in a paper published in Nature Communications.

The researchers used building blocks of DNA tiles and created a solution containing millions of these tiles. The DNA tiles interacted with one another to form micron-scale tubular structures. These structures only form in the presence of a specific RNA molecule that triggers the formation. A different RNA trigger molecule can also induce the disassembly of the same structures. 

Timing is crucial

The researchers programmed the synthetic genes to release these RNA triggers at specific times, thus controlling when and how the DNA structures assemble or disassemble.

This method could apply to other materials and biological systems where the timing of chemical signals is crucial.

By controlling these signals, the same DNA parts could make different structures or materials that change over time.

This research could lead to new developments in synthetic biology, potentially impacting medicine and biotechnology.

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