From Tunable DNA/Polymer Self-Assembly to Tailorable and Morphologically Pure Core-Shell Nanofibers

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• DNA/polymer self-assemblies often result in kinetically trapped structures with irregular DNA chain collapse.
• Eukaryotic cells utilize specific pathways to avoid kinetic trapping and form organized chromatin fibers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel DNA and amphiphilic diblock copolymer self-assembly pathway.
• To achieve highly controllable kinetics inspired by the tetrasome-to-nucleosome pathway.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an A-b-B diblock copolymer with hydrophilic (A) and hydrophobic (B) blocks.
• Manipulated water content to control polymer wrapping and DNA chain conformation.
• Leveraged reduced DNA/polymer electrostatic interactions and high polymer chain dynamics.

Main Results:

• Achieved tailorable and morphologically pure core-shell nanofibers.
• Demonstrated controllable kinetics in DNA/polymer self-assembly.
• Fabricated flexible nanofibers with micrometer lengths.

Conclusions:

• The novel pathway offers advantages over previous DNA/micelle self-assembly methods.
• The self-assembly process enables the creation of 2D networks at low percolation thresholds.
• Potential applications include chemiresistors with high on/off current ratios.