Hoberman-Inspired Reconfigurable DNA Origami Ring for Nanoscale Capture

Dynamic DNA origami systems have enabled programmable nanoscale motion and target-responsive structural transformations for applications in molecular capture, sensing, and nanorobotics. However, achieving programmable interactions with targets of varying sizes and morphologies remains challenging for many dynamic DNA nanostructures. Here, we present a reconfigurable DNA origami ring inspired by Hoberman mechanisms by translating scissor-linkage architectural principles into a nanoscale DNA system. The DNA ring features right-angled arms connected via rotational Holliday junctions to form radially arranged scissor-mechanism linkages capable of cooperative motion. Coordinated rotation of the scissor units enables reversible contraction and expansion of the ring, producing three conformational states: closed, neutral, and open. Conformational switching between states is achieved using strand displacement. By functionalizing the ring with capture probes, conformation-dependent organization of gold nanoparticles is demonstrated. Additionally, the ring successfully captures three DNA nanostructure tiles with distinct sizes and morphologies and exhibits conformation-dependent binding preferences. This work presents a mechanically coordinated DNA origami architecture for programmable nanoscale organization and molecular capture.