Semi-artificial Fluorescent Molecular Machine for DNA Damage Detection

Nano Lett. 2004 Dec;4(12):2461-6. doi: 10.1021/nl048357e.

Abstract

The design of artificial molecular machines is complicated because the mechanics used in macromachines is not readily adaptable for nano environments. We constructed a semi-artificial molecular device, which contains a naturally occurring molecular machine-a vaccinia virus encoded protein-linked with an artificial part. The self-assembled construct makes two fluorescently labeled detector units. It is the first sensor capable of selectively detecting different types of DNA breaks, exemplifying a practical approach to the design of molecular devices.