New motifs in DNA nanotechnology

Nadrian C. Seeman, Hui Wang, Xiaoping Yang, Furong Liu, Chengde Mao, Weiqiong Sun, Lisa Wenzler, Zhiyong Shen, Ruojie Sha, Hao Yan, Man Hoi Wong, Phiset Sa-Ardyen, Bing Liu, Hangxia Qiu, Xiaojun Li, Jing Qi, Shou Ming Du, Yuwen Zhang, John E. Mueller, Tsu Ju FuYinli Wang, Junghuei Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

67 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recently, we have invested a great deal of effort to construct molecular building blocks from unusual DNA motifs. DNA is an extremely favorable construction medium. The sticky-ended association of DNA molecules occurs with high specificity, and it results in the formation of B-DNA, whose structure is well known. The use of stable-branched DNA molecules permits one to make stick-figures. We have used this strategy to construct a covalently closed DNA molecule whose helix axes have the connectivity of a cube, and a second molecule, whose helix axes have the connectivity of a truncated octahedron. In addition to branching topology, DNA also yields control of linking topology, because double helical half-turns of B-DNA or Z-DNA can be equated, respectively, with negative or positive crossings in topological objects. Consequently, we have been able to use DNA to make trefoil knots of both signs and figure of 8 knots. By making RNA knots, we have discovered the existence of an RNA topoisomerase. DNA-based topological control has also led to the construction of Borromean rings, which could be used in DNA-based computing applications. The key feature previously lacking in DNA construction has been a rigid molecule. We have discovered that DNA double crossover molecules can provide this capability. We have incorporated these components in DNA assemblies that use this rigidity to achieve control on the geometrical level, as well as on the topological level. Some of these involve double crossover molecules, and others involve double crossovers associated with geometrical figures, such as triangles and deltahedra.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)257-273
Number of pages17
JournalNanotechnology
Volume9
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1998
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • General Chemistry
  • General Materials Science
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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