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Updated: Aug 1, 2025

Self-assembly of Complex Two-dimensional Shapes from Single-stranded DNA Tiles

Self-assembly of Complex Two-dimensional Shapes from Single-stranded DNA Tiles

Published on: May 8, 2015

Modular reconfiguration of DNA origami assemblies using tile displacement.

Namita Sarraf¹, Kellen R Rodriguez^2,3,4, Lulu Qian^1,4

¹Bioengineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.

Science Robotics

|April 26, 2023

Summary

Researchers engineered adaptable molecular machines using DNA origami. This tile displacement mechanism enables self-reconfiguration for future synthetic cells, expanding design possibilities for complex nanoscale systems.

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Last Updated: Aug 1, 2025

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Designing a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami

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Published on: July 8, 2013

Area of Science:

Biomolecular Engineering
Synthetic Biology
Nanotechnology

Background:

Natural evolution's adaptability is limited by slow genetic timescales.
Electromechanical robots demonstrate modularity and self-reconfiguration for diverse functions.
DNA origami offers a platform for engineering adaptable molecular machines.

Purpose of the Study:

To establish design principles for simultaneous reconfiguration in DNA tile assemblies.
To expand the design space for tile displacement reactions.
To demonstrate modular reconfiguration in complex 3D and 2D DNA structures.

Main Methods:

Developed complex invaders with distinct shapes for tile displacement.
Introduced toehold and branch migration domain configurations.
Constructed multitile invaders and investigated 3D barrel structure growth and reconfiguration.

Main Results:

Expanded the design space of tile displacement reactions by two orders of magnitude.
Demonstrated construction of variable-sized multitile invaders.
Showcased reconfiguration of 3D structures into 2D and complex shape transformations with minimal cross-talk.

Conclusions:

Tile displacement is a viable mechanism for modular reconfiguration in DNA origami.
This approach offers robustness to temperature and tile concentration.
Paves the way for dynamic self-reprogramming in synthetic cells.