Cooperative control of a DNA origami force sensor

Most biomolecular systems are dependent on a complex interplay of forces. Modern force spectroscopy techniques provide means of interrogating these forces. These techniques, however, are not optimized for studies in constrained or crowded environments as they typically require micron-scale beads in the case of magnetic or optical tweezers, or direct attachment to a cantilever in the case of atomic force microscopy. We implement a nanoscale force-sensing device using a DNA origami which is highly customizable in geometry, functionalization, and mechanical properties. The device, referred to as the NanoDyn, functions as a binary (open or closed) force sensor that undergoes a structural transition under an external force. The transition force is tuned with minor alterations of 1 to 3 DNA oligonucleotides and spans tens of picoNewtons (pN). This actuation of the NanoDyn is reversible and the design parameters strongly influence the efficiency of resetting the initial state, with higher stability devices (≳10 pN) resetting more reliably during repeated force-loading cycles. Finally, we show that the opening force can be adjusted in real time by the addition of a single DNA oligonucleotide. These results establish the NanoDyn as a versatile force sensor and provide fundamental insights into how design parameters modulate mechanical and dynamic properties.