Current
work in tuning DNA kinetics has focused on changing toehold
lengths and DNA concentrations. However, kinetics can also be improved
by enhancing the completion probability of the strand displacement
process. Here, we execute this strategy by creating a toehold DNA
motor device with the inclusion of a synthetic nucleotide, inosine,
at selected sites. Furthermore, we found that the energetic bias can
be tuned such that the device can stay in a stable partially displaced
state. This work demonstrates the utility of energetic biases to change
DNA strand displacement kinetics and introduces a complementary strategy
to the existing designs
