Simple Micro-machine fueled by RNA

We are interested in making an artificial motor that is driven autonomously by DNA/RNA hybridization and RNA hydrolysis. As in molecular motors we use mechanical advantage to transduce nanoscopic motion to motion on a micro-scale, in our case from 24 nm to 2.4 um. The basic design is a hinge with a level arm. RNA linkers in the solution hybridize with two DNA single strands on each side of the hinge to close the arm. RNase H enzymes cleave the RNA in the RNA-DNA duplexes to open and reset the hinge. With both RNA and RNase H enzymes in the solution, the hinge can achieve cyclic opening and closing fueled by RNA, with rates that can be tuned by changing the concentrations of RNA and RNase H. This hinge mechanism can be also be used to activate other designed structures and machines.