DNA origami nanopores: An emerging tool in biomedicine

摘要

Natural systems have developed a precise and intricate machinery to preserve life. The complex mechanisms that living organisms employ to control the transport of ions and molecules across their lipid membranes represent a remarkable example. Membrane transport is of indisputable importance, as it is ultimately implicated in such important functions as energy production and protein synthesis. Many transport pathways are mediated by the presence of small holes (known as nanopores in biotechnology) in the lipid membranes based on active or passive proteins. Since living organisms so efficiently utilize these protein-based holes in their membranes to control the passage of biomolecules, why not employ them to obtain devices with potential interest in biotechnology and biomedicine?