Synthetic Droplets Supercharge DNA-Based Catalysts

Inspired by the way living cells organise their internal chemistry, researchers have designed a novel type of self-assembling compartment. These droplets, known as coacervates, form spontaneously when a polymer and ATP, the cell's energy currency, are mixed.

These synthetic microreactors are adept at sequestering specific DNA sequences that fold into structures called G-quadruplexes. When a molecule called hemin is introduced, these DNA structures become powerful DNAzymes—DNA-based catalysts with an activity similar to peroxidase enzymes.

Crucially, the confined environment of the droplet boosts the DNAzyme's catalytic efficiency tenfold. This impressive amplification occurs because the compartment increases the local concentration of molecules and reduces their diffusion, making chemical reactions far more likely. The system can even be fuelled by ATP to mimic the dissipative, energy-driven behaviour of real cellular structures, opening new avenues for designing advanced biomimetic systems.