Controllable self-assembly of parallel gold nanorod clusters by DNA origami

We demonstrate the self-assembly of three types of parallel gold nanorod clusters using a rod-like DNA origami as the template.     

Advances in nucleic acid architectures for electrochemical sensing

Nucleic acid–based electrochemical sensors are ideally suited to the detection of molecular targets for which enzymatic detection or direct electrochemical oxidation – reduction reactions are not possible. Moreover, the versatility of nucleic acids in their ability to bind a great variety of target types, from small molecules to single-entity mesoscopic targets, makes them attractive receptors for the development of electrochemical biosensors. In this brief opinion piece, we discuss field advances from the past two years. We hope the works highlighted here will inspire the community to pursue creative designs enabling the detection of larger and more complex targets with a specific focus on analytical validation and translation into preclinical or clinical applications.     

Scaling Up DNA Origami Lattice Assembly

The surface-assisted hierarchical assembly of DNA origami nanostructures is a promising route to fabricate regular nanoscale lattices. In this work, the scalability of this approach is explored and the formation of a homogeneous polycrystalline DNA origami lattice at the mica-electrolyte interface over a total surface area of 18.75 cm² is demonstrated. The topological analysis of more than 50 individual AFM images recorded at random locations over the sample surface showed only minuscule and random variations in the quality and order of the assembled lattice. The analysis of more than 450 fluorescence microscopy images of a quantum dot-decorated DNA origami lattice further revealed a very homogeneous surface coverage over cm² areas with only minor boundary effects at the substrate edges. At total DNA costs of € 0.12 per cm², this large-scale nanopatterning technique holds great promise for the fabrication of functional surfaces.     

Multivalent Aptamer-modified DNA Origami as Drug Delivery System for Targeted Cancer Therapy

In spite of great development in nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems(DDSs)for improved therapeutic efficacy,it remains challenging for effective delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to targeted tumor cells.In this work,we report a triangle DNA origami as targeted DDS for cancer therapy.DNA origami shows excellent biocompatibility and stability in cell culture medium for 24 h.In addition,the DNA origami structures conjugated with multivalent aptamers enable for efficient delivery of anticancer drug doxorubicin(Dox)into targeted cancer cell due to their targeting function,reducing side effects associated with nonspecific distribution.Moreover,we also demonstrated that the multivalent aptamer-modified DNA origami loading Dox exhibits prominent therapeutic efficacy in vitro.Accordingly,this work provides a good paradigm for the development of DNA origami nanostructure-based targeted DDS for cancer therapy.     

Reconfigurable Plasmonic Nanostructures Controlled by DNA Origami

Precise surface functionalization and reconfigurable capability of nanomaterials are essential to construct complex nanostructures with specific functions.Here we show tire assembly of a reconfigurable plasmonic nanostructure,which executes both conformational and plasmonic changes in response to DNA strands.In this work,different sized gold nanoparticles(AuNPs)were arranged site-specifically on the surface of a DNA origami clamp nanostructure.The opening and closing of the DNA origami clamp could be precisely controlled by a series of strand emplacement reactions.Therefore,the patterns of these AuNPs could be switched between two different configura-tions.The observed plasmon band shift indicates the change of the plasmonic interactions among the assembled AuNPs.Our study achieves the construction of reconfigurable nanomaterials with tunable plasmonic interactions,and will enrich the toolbox of DNA-based functional nanomachinery.     

Quantitative Assessment of Tip Effects in Single‐Molecule High‐Speed Atomic Force Microscopy Using DNA Origami Substrates

High‐speed atomic force microscopy (HS‐AFM) is widely employed in the investigation of dynamic biomolecular processes at a single‐molecule level. However, it remains an open and somewhat controversial question, how these processes are affected by the rapidly scanned AFM tip. While tip effects are commonly believed to be of minor importance in strongly binding systems, weaker interactions may significantly be disturbed. Herein, we quantitatively assess the role of tip effects in a strongly binding system using a DNA origami‐based single‐molecule assay. Despite its femtomolar dissociation constant, we find that HS‐AFM imaging can disrupt monodentate binding of streptavidin (SAv) to biotin (Bt) even under gentle scanning conditions. To a lesser extent, this is also observed for the much stronger bidentate SAv–Bt complex. The presented DNA origami‐based assay can be universally employed to quantify tip effects in strongly and weakly binding systems and to optimize the experimental settings for their reliable HS‐AFM imaging.     

MSC折纸结构设计及其双稳态解析与实验

折纸是一门古老艺术,其本质是将平面材料沿着事先设计好的折痕进行折叠,进而形成一个复杂的三维结构．柔性折纸结构是实现三维结构轻量化的重要途径．因此,解析折纸结构几何特性和力学性质十分必要．本文以MSC(Magic Spiral Cube)为研究对象,通过实际折痕和虚拟折痕的方法,建立了该结构的几何模型,确定了实现完全展开和完全折叠对刚性面和可变形面的设计条件,在虚拟折痕上引入了扭转刚度,证明了该扭转刚度与柔性面变形的等效性,从而得到了MSC 折纸结构的弹性势能,得到了使结构变形的力与位移本构．通过力学特性分析,发现了MSC折纸结构具有双稳态特性,这种特性是由面内变形诱发的,与虚拟折痕刚度与弹性折痕刚度的比值有直接的关系．最后,我们对MSC折纸结构进行设计和制备,通过实验,验证了理论 模型的准确性．本文的研究结果不仅进一步加深了我们对于MSC折纸结构力学特性的认识,同时也为其工程应用提供理论基础．