Conformational changes of tailored DNA motifs, induced by chemical or physical means, can lead to nanomechanical motion, such as rotational movement, linear shrinking, and extension, and opening and closing of tweezer-shaped devices (see schematic illustration). The development of nanomotors based on nucleic acids might open up ways to fabricate molecular machines which are programmable to autonomously perform logical or mechanical tasks.
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Niemeyer et al. (2002) studied this question.