Ultraviolet and Visible Light‐Responsive RNA Photofluids
Abstract
Abstract Incorporating artificial molecular machines into soft matter offers a compelling strategy for engineering active materials with life‐like behavior. Here, we report ultraviolet and visible light‐responsive RNA photofluids formed via liquid‐liquid phase separation of azobenzene‐functionalized RNA nanomachines. These RNA photofluids can harness the molecular motions of RNA nanomachines to produce macroscopic cell‐like behaviors under both ultraviolet and visible light irradiation. We show that the number of azobenzene moieties in the RNA nanomachines controls the deformation kinetics and critical transition temperatures between structural deformation and dissociation. The ultraviolet–visible RNA photofluids not only enable direct solar energy harvesting for light‐powered soft robotics, but also expand the toolkit for developing advanced multi‐responsive biomaterials and programmable artificial cells.
Article Details
Authors (5)
Jia‐Yao Wang
State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai Jiao, Tong University Shanghai 200240 China
Ming‐Di Gao
State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai Jiao, Tong University Shanghai 200240 China
Chao‐Yang Guan
State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai Jiao, Tong University Shanghai 200240 China
Jin‐Ying Qi
State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai Jiao, Tong University Shanghai 200240 China
Nan‐Nan Deng
State Key Laboratory of Synergistic Chem‐Bio Synthesis School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai China