DNA nanotechnology articles within NPG Asia Materials

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  • Review Article
    | Open Access

    This review highlights the recent advances in the bioapplications of higher-order DNA origami structures at multiple scales. After a brief introduction to the development of DNA origami, we describe the use of DNA origami structures to assist in single-molecule studies, manipulate lipid membranes, direct cell behaviors, and deliver drugs as smart nanocarriers. Our opinions on the current challenges and future directions are also shared.

    • Yihao Zhou
    • , Jinyi Dong
    •  & Qiangbin Wang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    In this work, we report a strategy to build programmable atom equivalents (PAEs) with tailorable DNA bond length and bond energy using DNA encoders carrying consecutive adenines (polyA). We find that the bond length and bond energy can be tuned by programming the topologic configurations of the DNA encoders, which lead to differently leveled bonds and asymmetric PAEs allowing for directional, hierarchical assembly of multi-particle structures. This programmable bonding system may provide a new route for building complex plasmonic superstructures.

    • Xiaoliang Chen
    • , Xiaoguo Liu
    •  & Jiang Li

  • Original Article
    | Open Access

    Ni ions can be aligned by a double-stranded DNA and form a Ni–DNA nanowire. By integrating with the semiconductor circuits it becomes a novel molecular device, which is the first real dual memelement that exhibits functionalities of novel resistor and capacitor with memory, and redox-induced negative differential resistance (NDR) properties. The working mechanism of this novel device is similar to the memcomputing in brain.

    • Hsueh-Liang Chu
    • , Jian-Jhong Lai
    •  & Chia-Ching Chang

  • Original Article
    | Open Access

    We constructed a novel and universal biosensing platform based on polymerase-nicking enzyme synergetic isothermal quadratic DNA machine (ESQM). It tactfully integrates two signal amplification modules including strand displacement amplification (SDA) and nicking enzyme signal amplification (NESA) into a one-step biosensing system via a bifunctional DNA probe with stem-loop structure. ESQM can be activated to afford a high amplified signal in the presence of target. The ultrasensitive detection of Pb2+ (30 fM) even in real water sample was achieved within 40 min, and the practicability of ESQM in DNA methyltransferase activity analysis demonstrated the universality of this biosensing platform.

    • Yongxi Zhao
    • , Feng Chen
    •  & Chunhai Fan

  • Original Article
    | Open Access

    Four oligonucleotide strands are hybridized to form the 3D DNA nano-pyramid. Three thiol groups-terminated vertex can immobilize the pyramid firmly onto the surface of gold electrode, while the remaining non-thiolated vertex at the top with carboxyl group allows the covalent binding of anti-IgG antibody. Through traditional sandwich immunoreaction, the electroactive tag, ferrocene (FeC) generates electrochemical signals used to detect the analyte IgG. The pyramidal structure with higher rigidity encourages more uniform surface assembly and less steric effect, resulting in lower background interference. The pyramid's hollow structure further contributes to efficient electron transfer and makes this immunoassay system achieve an ultrasensitive detection limit.

    • Liang Yuan
    • , Marcella Giovanni
    •  & David Tai Leong

  • Review
    | Open Access

    In this review, we highlight the recent achievements in the DNA-programmed self-assembly of homo- and/or hetero-photonic nanoarchitectures comprising gold nanoparticles, gold nanorods and quantum dots in one, two and three dimensions, and overview their optical properties and potential photonic functionalities.

    • Xiang Lan
    •  & Qiangbin Wang

  • Original Article
    | Open Access

    A simple and universal DNA-based platform is developed to implement the required two logic gates of a half adder (or a half subtractor) in parallel triggered by the same set of inputs. The developed half adder and half subtractor are operated with the same DNA platform in an enzyme-free system. The investigations provide a new way for the prototypical DNA-based arithmetic operations and also the development of advanced circuits.

    • Shanling Xu
    • , Hailong Li
    •  & Erkang Wang

  • Review
    | Open Access

    Along with the rapid merge and development of biotechnology and nanotechnology, various DNA nanostructure scaffolds have been designed, characterized and exploited for a range of applications. Particularly, we have seen the evolution of surface-confined DNA probes with rational design from one-dimensional to two-dimensional and then to three-dimensional, which greatly improve our ability to control the density, orientation and passivation of the surface. In this review, we aim to summarize recent progress on the improvement of probe–target recognition properties by introducing DNA nanostructure scaffolds. A range of new strategies have proven to provide significantly enhanced spatial positioning range and accessibility of the probes on surface over previously reported linear structures. We will also describe applications of DNA nanostructure scaffold-based biosensors.

    • Hao Pei
    • , Xiaolei Zuo
    •  & Chunhai Fan

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