Rational design of DNA nanoarchitectures

DNA has many physical and chemical properties that make it a powerful material for molecular constructions at the nanometer length scale. In particular, its ability to form duplexes and other secondary structures through predictable nucleotide-sequence-directed hybridization allows for the design of programmable structural motifs which can self-assemble to form large supramolecular arrays, scaffolds, and even mechanical and logical nanodevices. Despite the large variety of structural motifs used as building blocks in the programmed assembly of supramolecular DNA nanoarchitectures, the various modules share underlying principles in terms of the design of their hierarchical configuration and the implemented nucleotide sequences. This Review is intended to provide an overview of this fascinating and rapidly growing field of research from the structural design point of view.     

Programmed‐Assembly System Using DNA Jigsaw Pieces

A novel method for assembling multiple DNA origami structures has been developed by using designed 2D DNA origami rectangles, so‐called “DNA jigsaw pieces” that have sequence‐programmed connectors. Shape and sequence complementarity were introduced to the concavity and convex connectors in the DNA rectangles for selective connection with the help of nonselective π‐stacking interactions between the side edges of the DNA jigsaw piece structures. Single DNA jigsaw piece units were assembled into unidirectional nanostructures with the correct alignment and uniform orientation. Three and five different DNA jigsaw pieces were assembled into predesigned and ordered nanostructures in a programmed fashion. Finally, three‐, four‐, and five‐letter words have been displayed by using this programmed DNA jigsaw piece system.