Engineering tunable catch bonds with DNA

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The post discusses a novel design of tunable catch bonds utilizing DNA hooks that fold and bind to themselves. These catch bonds exhibit unique behavior: they easily unzip when pulled gently, but become significantly tougher under increased force, requiring a shearing action to detach. This mechanism is likened to 'finger trap' toys, which illustrate how certain bonds can be stronger under specific conditions. The relevance of such catch bonds in biological systems is highlighted, connecting them to cellular mechanisms for detecting biomechanical forces, presenting a fascinating intersection of molecular design and biological application.
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