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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Self-assembly of Complex Two-dimensional Shapes from Single-stranded DNA Tiles
Published on: May 8, 2015
DNA microstructure based on self-assembly of 4-sticky-end Holliday junctions in aqueous solution
Hiroaki Kii1, Takuya Takagi, Akira Sasaki
1Laboratory of Supramolecular Biophysics, Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan.
Abstract:
Liverwort-like DNA microscale structures consist of 4-sticky-end Holiday junctions as DNA bricks that can be used in nanotechnology and nanobiotechnology to direct the self-assembly of nanomachines as well as DNA assembly. Previously it has not been possible to obtain such DNA microscale structural forms, but herein we report construction of a mesh-like material made up of 4 strands of 40-base DNA. Advanced bioimaging techniques such as fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), laser scanning microscopy (LSM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) help us as ultrasensitive detection tools for examing structures in solutions. Combinations of these techniques allow us to survey various chemical conditions of materials and solutions.
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