Shape-Changing DNA Robots Mimic Living Systems

Scientists at the University of North Carolina have created microscopic soft robots that alter their shape and activity in response to environmental changes, mimicking how living organisms behave. These “DNA flowers” are built from crystals formed by merging DNA with inorganic elements. They can reversibly open and close within seconds, displaying a level of motion rarely seen at such small scales.

Each flower operates as a programmable unit, with its DNA sequence acting as a built-in set of instructions that guide how it reacts to different conditions. When acidity increases, the petals fold tightly; when it decreases, they unfold again. This reversible movement not only makes the materials dynamic but also allows controlled chemical reactions or molecule releases. The system’s design enables the flowers to perform tasks autonomously, such as delivering drugs or neutralizing pollutants.

The concept originates from natural processes like the unfurling of petals, coral pulsing, and tissue growth. “We take inspiration from nature’s designs, like blooming flowers or growing tissue, and translate them into technology that could one day think, move, and adapt on its own,” said Ronit Freeman, senior and corresponding author of the study published in Nature Nanotechnology.

Freeman emphasized the potential biomedical uses of these shape-shifting materials. “People would love to have smart capsules that would automatically activate medication when it detects disease and stops when it is healed. In principle, this could be possible with our shapeshifting materials,” she said. In the future, these microscopic flowers might deliver targeted drug doses, conduct biopsies, or even clear blood clots once inside the body.

At the molecular level, the flowers’ ability to open and close depends on specific DNA arrangements within their crystal structures. The motion is simple yet powerful—by folding or relaxing, the DNA dictates how the robot interacts with other molecules, making it capable of carrying or releasing them in response to the environment.

While testing remains in early stages, the research team envisions diverse applications. The DNA flowers might one day be deployed inside the human body to target tumors or used outside medicine to remove chemical contaminants from water. They could also enable dense data storage—potentially holding two trillion gigabytes in a single teaspoon of material.