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Synergy of Two Assembly Languages in DNA Nanostructures: Self-Assembly of Sequence-Defined Polymers on DNA Cages

Chidchob, Pongphak, Edwardson, Thomas G.W., Serpell, Christopher J., Sleiman, Hanadi F. (2016) Synergy of Two Assembly Languages in DNA Nanostructures: Self-Assembly of Sequence-Defined Polymers on DNA Cages. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 138 (13). pp. 4416-4425. ISSN 0002-7863. E-ISSN 1520-5126. (doi:10.1021/jacs.5b12953) (KAR id:54396)

Abstract

DNA base-pairing is the central interaction in DNA assembly. However, this simple four-letter (A–T and G–C) language makes it difficult to create complex structures without using a large number of DNA strands of different sequences. Inspired by protein folding, we introduce hydrophobic interactions to expand the assembly language of DNA nanotechnology. To achieve this, DNA cages of different geometries are combined with sequence-defined polymers containing long alkyl and oligoethylene glycol repeat units. Anisotropic decoration of hydrophobic polymers on one face of the cage leads to hydrophobically driven formation of quantized aggregates of DNA cages, where polymer length determines the cage aggregation number. Hydrophobic chains decorated on both faces of the cage can undergo an intrascaffold “handshake” to generate DNA-micelle cages, which have increased structural stability and assembly cooperativity, and can encapsulate small molecules. The polymer sequence order can control the interaction between hydrophobic blocks, leading to unprecedented “doughnut-shaped” DNA cage-ring structures. We thus demonstrate that new structural and functional modes in DNA nanostructures can emerge from the synergy of two interactions, providing an attractive approach to develop protein-inspired assembly modules in DNA nanotechnology.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1021/jacs.5b12953
Uncontrolled keywords: Functional Materials Group
Subjects: Q Science > QD Chemistry
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User: Christopher Serpell
Date Deposited: 09 Mar 2016 16:11 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Dec 2022 02:58 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/54396 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Serpell, Christopher J..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2848-9077
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