. A computer and TV screen that emits all colors from one flexible pixel layer is soon to become reality. Consumers are increasingly looking for portable, instant communication. Or Berger and Professor Ehud Gazit, from Tel Aviv University’s Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology respectively, developed a DNA-peptide structure which harnesses bionanotechnology and emits all the humanly-visible colours in one pliable pixel layer. This is an improvement on the current screen’s many rigid layers. Scientists at Tel Aviv believe that we’ll soon be able roll up our screens. Image: Tel Aviv University. Details of this research were published in Nature Nanotechnology, citation below. Professor Gazit stated that the material was light, organic and sustainable. The material is light and flexible. A single layer can emit the same amount of light as multiple layers. You can reduce production costs by using one layer. This will result in lower consumer prices. From genes to screens. In the study that was part of Berger’s doctoral thesis, scientists examined several combinations of different peptides. These consists of compounds made up of multiple amino acids, linked together in a chain. They are embedded with DNA elements, which allow the creation of unique molecular architectures. The two basic building blocks for life are DNA and peptides. These building blocks are found in every cell of all living organisms. These building blocks are used by bionanotechnologists to create new technologies that have properties unavailable for organic materials like metal and plastic. Berger stated that while our lab has worked on peptide technology for more than a decade, DNA nanotechnology is an entirely new and exciting field. My doctoral research was initiated because I wanted to combine the approaches. “In this study we concentrated on PNA, which is a synthetic hybrid of DNA and peptides. The scientists created and synthesized several PNA sequences and attempted to create nano-metric structures with them.” They used methods like electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography to discover that the three molecules they synthesized were capable of self-assembling into orderly structures in just a matter of minutes. The structures had DNA-like peptide properties and were reminiscent of natural DNA double-helix forms. However, they also showed peptide features. This resulted in an extremely unique molecular arrangement which reflects the dual nature of the material. Berger stated that “Once the DNA-like structure was discovered, we tested its ability to bind DNA-specific fluorescent dyes.” The control sample with no dye emitted exactly the same amount of fluorescence as variable. It was clear that the organic structure itself is naturally fluorescent” The entire spectrum. The structures emit light in all colors, which contrasts with other fluorescent materials that only have one color. The material was also able to respond to electrical voltages, which makes it a great candidate for optoelectronic devices such as displays. This study was supported by the Momentum Fund of Ramot at Tel Aviv University, which also has patented it. They are currently working on a prototype screen for the project and have been in discussions with leading consumer electronics firms about the potential benefits of this technology. Citation: Light-emitting self assembled peptide nucleic acid stacking interactions and Watson–Crick base pairing are observed.” Or Berger. Lihi Adler–Abramovich. Michal Levy–Sakin. Yael Liebes–Peer. Ludmila Bulgarsky. Estelle Mossou. V. Trevor Forsyth. Tal Schwartz. Yuval Ebenstein. Felix Frolow. Linda J. W. Shimon. Fernando Patolsky & Ehud Gazit. Nature Nanotechnology. Published 16 February, 2015. DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2015. 27.
