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DNA-Tethered RNA Polymerase for Programmable In vitro Transcription and Molecular Computation

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Published on: December 29, 2021

Programmable Matter: The Nanoparticle Atom and DNA Bond.

Devleena Samanta¹, Wenjie Zhou¹, Sasha B Ebrahimi²

¹Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.

Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)

|December 6, 2021

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

DNA-functionalized nanoparticles, or programmable atom equivalents (PAEs), enable bottom-up materials synthesis. This approach allows independent tuning of "atoms" and "bonds" for designer materials with novel properties.

Keywords:

DNA colloidal crystal engineering nanoparticles programmable atom equivalent spherical nucleic acids

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Chemistry

Background:

Colloidal crystal engineering using DNA has revolutionized bottom-up materials synthesis.
Programmable atom equivalents (PAEs) combine nanoparticles with DNA for self-assembly.
This field offers a new paradigm for understanding fundamental chemical concepts.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the evolution of DNA-based colloidal crystal engineering over nearly three decades.
To highlight advances in nanoparticle functionalization and DNA design for PAE assembly.
To explore the development of novel functional materials with unique properties.

Main Methods:

Assembly of nanoparticles functionalized with DNA (PAEs) via DNA hybridization.
Independent tuning of nanoparticle characteristics (shape, size, composition) and DNA properties (length, sequence).
Chronicle of historical development from early gold-core PAEs to advanced systems.

Main Results:

Creation of crystalline lattices from PAEs with designer properties.
Development of materials with tunable catalytic, optical, and biological functionalities.
Emergence of new material classes, some without natural counterparts.

Conclusions:

DNA-mediated colloidal assembly offers unprecedented control over material design.
Advances in PAE technology enable the synthesis of sophisticated functional materials.
This field continues to push the boundaries of materials science and chemistry.