Self‐Assembly of a 3D DNA Crystal Structure with Rationally Designed Six‐Fold Symmetry

Abstract

Programming self‐assembled designer DNA crystals with various lattices and functions is one of the most important goals for nanofabrication using nucleic acids. The resulting porous materials possess atomic precision for several potential applications that rely on crystalline lattices and cavities. Herein, we present a rationally designed and self‐assembled 3D DNA crystal lattice with hexagonal symmetry. In our design, two 21‐base oligonucleotides are used to form a duplex motif that further assembles into a 3D array. The interactions between the strands are programmed using Watson–Crick base‐pairing. The six‐fold symmetry, as well as the chirality, is directed by the Holliday junctions formed between the duplex motifs. The rationally designed DNA crystal provides a new avenue that could create self‐assembled macromolecular 3D crystalline lattices with atomic precision. In addition, the structure contains a highly organized array of well‐defined cavities that are suitable for future applications with immobilized guests.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Aug 27, 2018
Source ID
10.1002/ange.201807223

Entities

People

  • Chad R Simmons
  • Fei Zhang
  • Hao Yan
  • Jade Gates
  • Yan Liu

Organizations

  • Arizona State University
  • Army Research Office
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Science Foundation
  • United States Department of Energy

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Chemistry

Readers

  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Nanocomposite Materials Science

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology