Featured
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Conditionally fluorescent molecular probes for detecting single base changes in double-stranded DNA
A molecular probe has been designed that distinguishes double-stranded DNA with single base-pair specificity. In this approach, two destabilizing bubbles, in which the base pairs are mismatched, are generated for each point mutation in the target DNA.
- Sherry Xi Chen
- , David Yu Zhang
- & Georg Seelig
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News & Views |
Assembling nanoantennas
Metallic nanoparticles enable the control of optical fields at the nanometre scale, enhancing the absorption and emission of local emitters. Now, using the self-assembling properties of DNA, functional nanoantennas have been developed that comprise a versatile and robust assembly of gold nanoparticles and emitters.
- Gonzalo Cosa
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Article |
Submicrometre geometrically encoded fluorescent barcodes self-assembled from DNA
Life-science research and biomedical diagnostics call for robust fluorescence barcodes of compact size and high multiplexing capability. Here DNA-origami technology was used to construct a new kind of geometrically encoded barcode with excellent structural stiffness. They hold promise for both in situ and ex situ imaging of diverse biologically relevant entities.
- Chenxiang Lin
- , Ralf Jungmann
- & Peng Yin
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News & Views |
The world's smallest assembly line
Two separate studies show how DNA tiles can be used in automated assembly processes: one system self-replicates, the second assembles the output of a molecular computation.
- Greg van Anders
- & Sharon C. Glotzer
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News & Views |
Geometrical self-assembly
DNA origami tiles with complementary shapes have been designed and assembled into large nanostructures through the geometrically controlled stacking of their helices.
- Andrew J. Turberfield
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Article |
Programmable molecular recognition based on the geometry of DNA nanostructures
Multiple specific binding interactions have typically been created from DNA using Watson–Crick complementarity. Now, diverse bonds have also been obtained through the geometric arrangement of blunt-end stacking interactions. Two approaches to specific interactions — binary and shape coding — are demonstrated. The thermodynamics and binding rules of the resulting ‘stacking bonds’ are explored.
- Sungwook Woo
- & Paul W. K. Rothemund
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News & Views |
On the right path
Controlled energy-transfer on a molecular scale is a goal in many areas of science, from artificial photosynthesis to molecular electronics. Now, DNA origami has been used to direct the transfer of energy from an excited input dye down one of two paths by precisely arranging a mediator dye.
- Bo Albinsson
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Review Article |
Dynamic DNA nanotechnology using strand-displacement reactions
The programmable and reliable hybridization of DNA strands has enabled the preparation of a wide variety of structures. This Review discusses how, in addition to these static assemblies, the process of displacing — and ultimately replacing — strands also makes possible the construction of dynamic systems such as logic gates or autonomous walkers.
- David Yu Zhang
- & Georg Seelig
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Article |
Synergistic self-assembly of RNA and DNA molecules
DNA has been used as a building block to make a wide variety of molecular architectures, but it remains difficult to make functional structures from this particular construction material. Now, a strategy for the assembly of hybrid RNA–DNA nanostructures has been described, which offers the possibility of combining the programmability of DNA with the rich functionality of RNA.
- Seung Hyeon Ko
- , Min Su
- & Chengde Mao
Site-specific positioning of dendritic alkyl chains on DNA cages enables their geometry-dependent self-assembly
Quantum dot bricks and DNA mortar