Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Combining Single-molecule Manipulation and Imaging for the Study of Protein-DNA Interactions
Published on: August 27, 2014
Small-molecule-triggered manipulation of DNA three-way junctions
Isabelle T Seemann1, Vijay Singh, Mykhailo Azarkh
1Department of Chemistry and Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany.
DNA three-way junctions are essential for DNA nanoarchitectures. New ligand-dependent designs offer reliable building blocks for creating advanced, structure-switching DNA nanodevices.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Nanotechnology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- DNA three-way junctions are fundamental structural motifs in DNA nanotechnology.
- Their application in nanodevices requires precise control over their formation and behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present novel ligand-dependent designs for DNA three-way junctions.
- To provide well-characterized building blocks for the development of DNA nanodevices.
Main Methods:
- Design and synthesis of DNA constructs incorporating three-way junctions.
- Utilizing ligand-dependent strategies to control junction formation and stability.
- Characterization of the resulting DNA structures.
Main Results:
- Demonstration of ligand-dependent control over DNA three-way junction formation.
- Successful creation of well-defined building blocks for nanodevices.
- Validation of the designs for structure-switching applications.
Conclusions:
- Ligand-dependent designs offer a robust method for controlling DNA three-way junctions.
- These designs facilitate the construction of sophisticated DNA nanodevices.
- The presented building blocks advance the field of DNA nanotechnology.
Related Concept Videos
Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
Single-Strand DNA Binding Proteins
DNA Topoisomerases
Types and Mechanism of action
Topoisomerases are divided into two main types. Type I...
DNA-only Transposons
The donor site from where the transposon is excised is either degraded or...
Restriction Enzymes
The host bacteria protect their own genomic DNA from these enzymes by methylating these sites. Some...
Homologous Recombination

