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Origami Inspired Self-assembly of Patterned and Reconfigurable Particles
Published on: February 4, 2013
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3D DNA Origami Cuboids as Monodisperse Patchy Nanoparticles for Switchable Hierarchical Self-Assembly
Thomas Tigges1, Thomas Heuser1, Rahul Tiwari1
1DWI-Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials , Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
Nano Letters
|November 4, 2016
Summary
Researchers used 3D DNA origami to create precisely shaped nanoparticles that self-assemble into complex structures like fibrils. This breakthrough enables programmable control over nanoparticle interactions and functions.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Designing anisotropic interactions is crucial for controlling nanoparticle self-assembly and emergent functions.
- 3D DNA origami offers a powerful platform for precise nanoscale engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the use of 3D DNA origami for extensive supracolloidal self-assembly.
- To create monodisperse, patchy, divalent nanocuboids with programmable interactions.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing 3D DNA origami to construct nanocuboids with specific interaction patterns.
- Employing programmable DNA hybridization for directed self-assembly.
- Investigating the role of multivalency and cooperativity in superstructure formation.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated monodisperse, patchy, divalent nanocuboids.
- Demonstrated self-assembly into supracolloidal fibrils via DNA hybridization.
- Showcased thermal and chemical switching of assembled superstructures, indicating reconfigurability.
Conclusions:
- 3D DNA origami enables precise control over nanoparticle shape and interactions for advanced self-assembly.
- Multivalency and cooperativity are key factors in forming stable superstructures.
- This work paves the way for merging DNA origami with nanoparticle self-assembly for reconfigurable materials.
