Brain Glymphatic System Modulation

Recently, researchers from Aarhus University and the California Institute of Technology developed a method to organize molecules on the nanoscale, known as RNA origami. RNA origami are synthesized by enzymes and fold into particular shapes, much like paper origami. The structures created through RNA origami can be grown inside living cells, which can then organize cellular enzymes. These structures can even function as enzymes themselves.

RNA origami differs from DNA origami in multiple ways. RNA is easier to mass produce due to being synthesized from enzymes and its ability to grow inside cells, while DNA has to be annealed and requires multi-strand synthesis, which can be expensive. RNA is commonly known to be single stranded, with DNA being double stranded. RNA can fold onto itself based on base pairings, but DNA folds into long structures called “scaffolds” that have to be created in lab tubes, requiring more time and care to maintain. Additionally, RNA can form more complex shapes, as it is more flexible compared to the rigidity of DNA origami.

Scientists believe that RNA origami has great potential, specifically in the areas of nanomedicine and synthetic biology. The structures created from RNA origami provide a stable basis for other RNA components, cell recognition, and cell binding. Researchers have even created structures that can mimic the function of the cytoskeleton through RNA origami. Despite being artificially created, these structures are extremely stable and organized. Many researchers believe RNA origami can eventually be used to create artificial cells without the process of protein synthesis.

References:

Ahmed, Tanvir, and Kazi Tasnuva Alam. “Developing Artificial Cytoskeletons Using RNA Origami-Based Nanotubes.” Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology, vol. 200, 2026, pp. 6–18, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41765186/, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2026.02.006.

Boettner, Benjamin. “Single-Stranded DNA and RNA Origami Go Live.” Harvard Gazette, 15 Dec. 2017, news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/12/single-stranded-dna-and-rna-origami-could-become-tiny-nanofactories/. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

“DNA Origami.” Genome.gov, www.genome.gov/about-genomics/teaching-tools/dna-origami.

“Programmed to Fold: RNA Origami.” California Institute of Technology, 2026, www.caltech.edu/about/news/programmed-fold-rna-origami-43511. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

Sjøgren, Kristian. “From RNA Origami to Useful Medicine.” Science News, 2023, sciencenews.dk/en/from-rna-origami-to-useful-medicine. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

Wikipedia Contributors. “RNA Origami.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Jan. 2026.

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