Bubble-Propelled Jellyfish-like Micromotors for DNA Sensing

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2019 Apr 10;11(14):13581-13588. doi: 10.1021/acsami.9b00605. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Abstract

A chemically powered jellyfish-like micromotor was proposed by using a multimetallic shell and a DNA assembly with catalase decorations modified on the concave surface to simulate the umbrella-shaped body and the muscle fibers on the inner umbrella of jellyfish. Relying on the catalytic generation of oxygen gas by catalase in H2O2 fuel, the jellyfish-like micromotor showed good bubble-propelled motion in different biomedia with speed exceeding 209 μm s-1 in 1.5% H2O2. The jellyfish-like micromotors could also be applied for motion detection of DNA based on a displacement hybridization-triggered catalase release. The proposed jellyfish-like micromotors showed advantages of easy fabrication, good motion ability, sensitive motion detection of DNA, and good stability and reproducibility, indicating considerable promise for biological application.

Keywords: DNA assembly; bio-inspiration; bubble-propulsion; micromotor; motion detection.

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques*
  • Catalase / chemistry*
  • Catalysis
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA / isolation & purification*
  • Gases / chemistry
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / chemistry
  • Microspheres
  • Oxygen / chemistry

Substances

  • Gases
  • DNA
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Catalase
  • Oxygen