microRNA detection with an active nanodevice FoF1-ATPase

Abstract

We have developed a novel nanodevice constituted with a rotary motor and a ``battery'', FoF1-ATPase and chromatophore. The latter can be recharged enough energy by light so that the former can rotates at about 1000 r.p.m for more than one hour. If the nanodevice is captured by a target such as miRNA and processively rotate for 30 minutes, the number of targets will be amplified by 100000 ATP molecules. This method has potential to be developed into an ultrasensitive biosensor to detect low expressed targets such as miRNA.