Using DNA origami to produce nanoscale patterns and structures
Using DNA origami to produce nanoscale patterns and structures lead image
DNA origami is a nanofabrication tool in which the strict base-pairing of DNA is exploited to produce templates of specific shapes with nanoscale precision. Liu et al. review work using this method to produce a variety of nanostructures from materials including metals, metal oxides, inorganic nonmetallic materials and polymers.
The basic technique involves extracting a long scaffold strand of DNA from bacteriophages and combining the scaffold with shorter staple strands. The resulting structures can then be formed into precise 2D or 3D nanostructures through base-pairing.
Scientists have developed software to automate the design and fabrication process for a large number of possible morphologies and structures. Additionally, a variety of chemical and physical treatments have been used to produce a wide array of precisely patterned or structured materials.
“Fabrication methods discussed in our review include chemical synthesis based on the site specificity of DNA origami and lithography technology mediated by DNA origami’s intrinsic morphologies,” said author Baoquan Ding.
Among the methods covered in this review is the controllable synthesis of metallic nanomaterials such as gold or silver nanostructures. It has been possible in some instances to produce patterns similar to a printed circuit board.
Nonmetallic materials have also been produced. Silica nanostructures as well as polymeric materials have been created this way. In addition, methods such as chemical vapor deposition and lithography have been added to the mix, allowing the production of nanoscale patterns of conductive materials.
The authors identified several obstacles that still need to be addressed in future studies in this area, including stability of the DNA origami template in harsh environments, the continuity of formed material, and the challenge of mass production.
Source: “DNA origami directed fabrication of shape-controllable nanomaterials,” by Fengson Liu, Yingxu Shang, Zhaoran Wang, Yunfei Jiao, Na Li, and Baoquan Ding, APL Materials (2020) The article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0025776 .
