Reconfigurable nanomaterials folded from multicomponent chains of DNA origami voxels.

In cells, proteins rapidly self-assemble into sophisticated nanomachines. Bioinspired self-assembly approaches, such as DNA origami, have been used to achieve complex three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures and devices. However, current synthetic systems are limited by low yields in hierarchical assembly and challenges in rapid and efficient reconfiguration between diverse structures.

Three-phase DNA-origami stepper mechanism based on multi-leg interactions.

Nanoscale stepper motors such as kinesin and dynein play a key role in numerous natural processes such as mitotic spindle formation during cell division or intracellular organelle transport. Their high efficacy in terms of operational speed and processivity has inspired the investigation of biomimetic technologies based on the use of programmable molecules. In particular, several designs of molecular walkers have been explored using DNA nanotechnology.

Minimizing Cholesterol-Induced Aggregation of Membrane-Interacting DNA Origami Nanostructures.

DNA nanotechnology provides methods for building custom membrane-interacting nanostructures with diverse functions, such as shaping membranes, tethering defined numbers of membrane proteins, and transmembrane nanopores. The modification of DNA nanostructures with hydrophobic groups, such as cholesterol, is required to facilitate membrane interactions. However, cholesterol-induced aggregation of DNA origami nanostructures remains a challenge.

Binding of DNA origami to lipids: maximizing yield and switching via strand displacement.

Liposomes are widely used as synthetic analogues of cell membranes and for drug delivery. Lipid-binding DNA nanostructures can modify the shape, porosity and reactivity of liposomes, mediated by cholesterol modifications. DNA nanostructures can also be designed to switch conformations by DNA strand displacement.

The Fusion of Lipid and DNA Nanotechnology.

Lipid membranes form the boundary of many biological compartments, including organelles and cells. Consisting of two leaflets of amphipathic molecules, the bilayer membrane forms an impermeable barrier to ions and small molecules. Controlled transport of molecules across lipid membranes is a fundamental biological process that is facilitated by a diverse range of membrane proteins, including ion-channels and pores.

Switchable DNA-origami nanostructures that respond to their environment and their applications.

Structural DNA nanotechnology, in which Watson-Crick base pairing drives the formation of self-assembling nanostructures, has rapidly expanded in complexity and functionality since its inception in 1981. DNA nanostructures can now be made in arbitrary three-dimensional shapes and used to scaffold many other functional molecules such as proteins, metallic nanoparticles, polymers, fluorescent dyes and small molecules. In parallel, the field of dynamic DNA nanotechnology has built DNA circuits, motors and switches.