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Updated: Jan 2, 2026

Self-assembly of Complex Two-dimensional Shapes from Single-stranded DNA Tiles
Published on: May 8, 2015
Supracolloidal Self-Assembly of Divalent Janus 3D DNA Origami via Programmable Multivalent Host/Guest Interactions
Sebastian Loescher1,2,3,4, Andreas Walther1,2,3,4
1A3BMS Lab, Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Strasse 31, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.
Abstract:
We introduce divalent 3D DNA origami cuboids as truly monodisperse colloids and harness their ability for precision functionalization with defined patches and defined numbers of supramolecular binding motifs. We demonstrate that even adamantane/β-cyclodextrin host/guest inclusion complexes of moderate association strength can induce efficient supracolloidal fibrillization at high dilution of the 3D DNA Origami as a result of cooperative multivalency. We show details on the assembly of Janus and non-Janus 3D DNA origami into supracolloidal homo- and heterofibrils with respect to multivalency effects, electrostatic screening, and stoichiometry. We believe that the merger of 3D DNA origami with colloidal self-assembly and supramolecular motifs provides new synergies at the interface of these disciplines to better understand multivalency effects, to promote structural complexity, and add non-DNA assembling and switching mechanisms to DNA nanoscience.
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