Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences
Tohoku University

This research aims to develop a novel electrochemical technique for spatiotemporal control of DNA droplet formation and dissolution, and to apply it to the creation of artificial molecular assembly systems and reaction environments. In living cells, liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) has been demonstrated to form membraneless compartments that play crucial roles in biological functions, including the regulation of local molecular concentration and enzymatic activity. While LLPS has been widely studied for proteins and RNA, recent findings have demonstrated that DNA can also form droplets. Therefore, the dynamic control of biomolecular droplets has become a crucial topic for understanding cellular phenomena and developing biomimetic materials.

However, current methods for external control of such droplets are limited, typically relying on physical stimuli such as light or temperature changes. In this study, in collaboration with Associate Professor Yusuke Sato of Kyushu Institute of Technology, we will design and synthesize pH-responsive DNA droplets and construct functional droplets incorporating enzymes. We will then apply an electrochemical approach using microelectrodes, a specialty of Professor Abe, to induce local pH changes, enabling real-time and high-precision control over droplet formation and dissolution.

Furthermore, we will quantitatively analyze structural changes in the droplets and their enzymatic activity, and construct mathematical models to deepen our understanding of the response mechanisms. Ultimately, this work aims to contribute to the development of artificial reaction systems with cell-like functionality.