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  • Review Article
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DNA nanostructures as templates for biomineralization

Nature Reviews Chemistry volume 5, pages 93–108 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Nature uses extracellular matrix scaffolds to organize biominerals into hierarchical structures over various length scales. This has inspired the design of biomimetic mineralization scaffolds, with DNA nanostructures being among the most promising. DNA nanotechnology makes use of molecular recognition to controllably give 1D, 2D and 3D nanostructures. The control we have over these structures makes them attractive templates for the synthesis of mineralized tissues, such as bones and teeth. In this Review, we first summarize recent work on the crystallization processes and structural features of biominerals on the nanoscale. We then describe self-assembled DNA nanostructures and come to the intersection of these two themes: recent applications of DNA templates in nanoscale biomineralization, a crucial process to regenerate mineralized tissues.

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Fig. 1: Biominerals form through nonclassical pathways, giving rise to a fine nanogranular structure.
Fig. 2: A fine nanogranular structure is apparent in many biominerals.
Fig. 3: Non-DNA scaffolds for hydroxyapatite nucleation and growth.
Fig. 4: Single-stranded DNA can self-assemble into precise DNA nanostructures.
Fig. 5: DNA nanostructures as scaffolds for calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate and silica mineralization.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank G. Rizis, A. Godelitsas, A. Greschner and I. Athanasiadou for critically reading the manuscript. K.M.M.C. acknowledges the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (grant no. 2017-06885) for financial support.

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  1. Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Dimitra Athanasiadou & Karina M. M. Carneiro

  2. Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Karina M. M. Carneiro

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Athanasiadou, D., Carneiro, K.M.M. DNA nanostructures as templates for biomineralization. Nat Rev Chem 5, 93–108 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-020-00242-5

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