Autonomous motor: We constructed a bipedal autonomous DNA-motor with a coordinate activity between the two motor legs and monitored its activity using SMF techniques. The measurements are done in-situ which enables monitoring the motor’s progress and structural dynamics without disturbing its activity. Our kinetic measurements of the motor’s assembly and activity indicate that it takes dozens of seconds to complete reactions, rather than hours, if components are properly designed. However, we monitor side reactions that significantly reduce the yield of the reaction and resulting in defected motors. We are now working on implementing new strategies for motors’ preparation which will prevent side reactions, altogether, resulting in much higher yield. On the methodological side, we have measured the motor’s dynamics and its interaction with its energy source, a DNA-fuel, in equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions. Our work demonstrates that by using SMF, one can construct a DNA-machine and monitor its activity in ways not possible with conventional methods. We demonstrate that our methods enable simultaneous in-situ monitoring of the motors efficiency, integrity and activity.

Non-autonomous motor: We constructed a two-leg motor which walks on a DNA-origami track and use energy in the form of fuel/anti-fuel ss-DNAs. The motor successfully completes more than 15 steps and we are now working on increasing the stepping efficiency, speed and walking range. Kinetic measurements indicate that it is possible to significantly improve this kind of motors, such that they will have far higher efficiency and speed.  The motor will be capable of maneuvering molecules of interest, e.g. nanoparticles, to a specific location and orientation. Later on, we will use these motors in a device which will maneuver nano-particles in respect to each other in electro-optic device, and a device that exert force on foreign molecules.