A groundbreaking development in the field of molecular motors has been achieved by researchers at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and Lund University, Sweden. They have successfully created the first synthetic molecular motor, known as ‘The Lawnmower,’ which is capable of propelling itself by harnessing the energy it generates as it cuts through fields of proteins.
Protein-based molecular motors are essential for various biological functions within living organisms. These motors convert energy from one form into mechanical forces and motion, enabling crucial processes such as cell division, cargo delivery, and movement towards food or light. The creation of The Lawnmower represents a significant milestone in the realm of synthetic biology and has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of various diseases.
Professor Nancy Forde, a physicist at SFU and co-corresponding author of the study, likened the concept of The Lawnmower to a Roomba powered solely by the dirt it picks up. This analogy highlights the innovative nature of the synthetic motor, which operates by harnessing the energy from biological reactions to propel itself.
The inspiration for The Lawnmower came from a class of molecular motors known as burnt-bridge ratchets (BBRs), which achieve directed motion over long distances by consuming energy-rich substrates as they travel. Building on this concept, the researchers constructed The Lawnmower using naturally occurring proteins, particularly trypsin, an enzyme that aids in protein breakdown. Once The Lawnmower lands on a surface, the trypsin ‘blades’ bind to and cleave peptides, converting them into energy and creating a free energy gradient that propels the motor forward.
Moreover, the researchers observed that The Lawnmower exhibited an average speed of up to 80 nm/s, comparable to biological molecular motors. Additionally, by patterning the peptide grass on microfabricated tracks, The Lawnmower demonstrated track-guided motion, further showcasing its potential for diverse applications.
This groundbreaking achievement opens up new possibilities in the field of synthetic biology and molecular engineering. The development of The Lawnmower represents a significant step forward in creating synthetic molecular motors that mimic the functionality of their natural counterparts, with potential implications for various fields, including medicine, nanotechnology, and biophysics.
