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Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Self-assembly of Complex Two-dimensional Shapes from Single-stranded DNA Tiles
Published on: May 8, 2015
Imparting the unique properties of DNA into complex material architectures and functions
Phyllis F Xu1, Hyunwoo Noh2, Ju Hun Lee2
1Department of Nanoengineering and Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr. MC 0448, La Jolla, CA 92093-0448, USA.
Abstract:
While the remarkable chemical and biological properties of DNA have been known for decades, these properties have only been imparted into materials with unprecedented function much more recently. The inimitable ability of DNA to form programmable, complex assemblies through stable, specific, and reversible molecular recognition has allowed the creation of new materials through DNA's ability to control a material's architecture and properties. In this review we discuss recent progress in how DNA has brought unmatched function to materials, focusing specifically on new advances in delivery agents, devices, and sensors.
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