Flash Synthesis of Spherical Nucleic Acids with Record DNA Density

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Bioconjugation Chemistry

Background:

• Spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) are crucial for DNA-programmable assembly, sensing, imaging, and therapeutics.
• Conventional SNA synthesis is slow and prone to nanoparticle aggregation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid, efficient, and scalable method for SNA synthesis.
• To achieve ultrahigh DNA density on nanoparticles.

Main Methods:

• Instant dehydration in butanol (INDEBT) process.
• Rapid water removal from DNA/nanoparticle mixtures.
• Utilizing Au-S bonding for accelerated DNA anchorage.

Main Results:

• Achieved instant (seconds) SNA synthesis.
• Obtained up to a 3-fold increase in DNA density compared to state-of-the-art methods.
• Demonstrated successful formation of core-satellite assemblies due to ultradense DNA grafting.

Conclusions:

• The INDEBT method offers a simple, efficient, and scalable approach to SNA synthesis.
• Enables facile production of SNAs with unprecedented DNA density.
• Opens avenues for exploring novel physical, chemical, and biological properties of ultra-dense SNAs.