RecA protein mediated nano-scale patterning of DNA scaffolds

Molecular lock-and-key functionality inherent to a large number of biological molecules is arguably one of the most promising potential routes for building complex nanostructures and eventually nano-electronic devices by self-assembly. Here, we report the use of the DNA-binding protein RecA as a tool for patterning DNA scaffolds site-specifically and in a programmable way at the nanometre-scale. This is demonstrated by patterning a 3 kilo-base-pair double-stranded DNA molecule at ten different locations with nanometre-sized RecA-based nucleoprotein filaments. This protein-based molecular patterning technique, which is site-specific, programmable, and scalable, offers a potential basis for molecular lithography applications, and opens previously inaccessible routes towards the fabrication of complex functional nano-electronic devices by self-assembly.