DNA Nano Rafts

• 17 Feb 2025

Source: BL 

Why in News? 

A study published in Nature Materials has introduced a revolutionary technique using DNA Nanorafts to create Artificial Cells that can work like biological membranes.  

• These programmable nanostructures can reshape membranes, form pathways, and react to surroundings, advancing medicine, biosensors, and artificial life research. 

What is DNA Nanorafts? 

• DNA Nanorafts: DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) nano-rafts are tiny, flat structures made from DNA strands which can be programmed to control the shape and permeability of cell membranes in response to specific chemical signals. 
  • This ability allows them to influence cell-like membranes in a controlled way. 
• Working Mechanism: 
  • Attachment to Model Membranes: DNA nanorafts attach to Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUVs), which serve as simplified models of biological cell membranes. 
    • GUVs are artificial, cell-sized lipid membranes that mimic real cell membranes, making them useful for studying membrane behavior and transport mechanisms in synthetic biology. 
  • Shape Modification & Reversibility: DNA nanorafts expand when "unlocking" DNA strands are added, altering the membrane’s shape. 
    • This unlocking can be triggered by enzymes, mechanical devices, or other methods. The process is reversed by adding "locking" DNA strands, restoring the original shape. 
    • Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA) helps secure DNA strands together for stability. 
  • Controlled Membrane Manipulation: This technique allows scientists to precisely control artificial cell membranes. 
• Key Functions: 
  • Cell Shaping: Nanorafts can alter the structure of synthetic cell membranes, which is essential for cell movement, division, and communication. 
  • Gatekeeping (Molecular Transport): They create temporary channels in the membrane, allowing molecules to pass through.  
    • These channels can open and close as needed, similar to natural protein-based channels in living cells. 

What is an Artificial Cell? 

• About: Artificial cells are synthetic structures that mimic living cells but are made from non-living components like synthetic membranes and chemicals. 
• Creation:  Synthetic cells can be created using 2 main approaches: 
  • Top-down approach: Scientists start with a living cell, remove non-essential genes, and retain only core functions. Eg: Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn3.0 (minimal synthetic cell). 
  • Bottom-up approach:  Researchers build a cell-like structure from the ground up by combining biological and non-biological molecules to replicate key cellular functions. Eg: GUVs 

• Applications: 
  • Drug Delivery: Synthetic cells can be designed to transport and release medicines at specific targets in the body. 
  • Biomedicine: They can aid in developing innovative therapies for chronic diseases such as cancer. 
  • Organ Transplantation: It could help in creating bioengineered tissues or organs, addressing the shortage of donor organs. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question 

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. Genetic changes can be introduced in the cells that produce eggs or sperms of a prospective parent. 
2. A person’s genome can be edited before birth at the early embryonic stage. 
3. Human induced pluripotent stem cells can be injected into the embryo of a pig. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only 

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 2 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3 

Ans: (d)