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DNA Origami-Mediated Substrate Nanopatterning of Inorganic Structures for Sensing Applications
Published on: September 27, 2019
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DNA origami characterized via a solid-state nanopore: insights into nanostructure dimensions, rigidity and yield
Liqun He1, Martin Charron1, Philipp Mensing1
1Department of Physics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. tcossa@uottawa.ca.
Nanoscale
|August 15, 2023
Summary
Solid-state nanopores offer a non-destructive, label-free method to characterize DNA nanostructures. This technique provides insights into dimensions, mechanical properties, and assembly quality of DNA origami, serving as an alternative to gel electrophoresis.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biophysics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- DNA origami structures are programmable and have diverse applications.
- Characterizing these nanostructures is crucial for quality control.
- Conventional methods like gel electrophoresis have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate solid-state nanopores for characterizing DNA nanostructures.
- To demonstrate nanopore sensing for geometrical and mechanical properties.
- To establish nanopores as a label-free alternative for DNA nanostructure analysis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized solid-state nanopores fabricated by controlled breakdown.
- Translocated a model 3 helix-bundle (3HB) DNA nanostructure through the nanopores.
- Analyzed passage characteristics under varying experimental conditions.
Main Results:
- Nanopore sensing provided geometrical and mechanical property information.
- Identified flexible segments in the 3HB structure, likely due to incomplete assembly.
- Demonstrated nanopore's ability to detect assembly yield and stability.
Conclusions:
- Solid-state nanopores are effective for non-destructive, label-free characterization of DNA nanostructures.
- Nanopore analysis can reveal details about flexibility and assembly defects.
- This method offers a sensitive alternative to traditional techniques like gel electrophoresis.
