2022.12.21 - DNA nanostructures grow up to become micron-scale me

Crisscross DNA Origami Smiley Face: To demonstrate the functionalization capabilities of their crisscross origami approach, the team assembled megastructures in the shape of 2D sheets, attached a pattern of contrast agent molecules to select origami slats, which created the pattern of a happy face. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University Crisscross DNA Origami Figure 1: Overview of crisscross assembly of DNA-origami slats (crisscross origami). The top row describes the composition of a DNA megastructure starting with a small “gridiron” seed structure to which a set of unique DNA origami slats is added. The middle row shows the breadth and relative scale of the megastructures created by the researchers using their crisscross origami approach. The bottom row shows DNA ribbons and sheets grown in one dimension (left) and two dimensions (middle), as well as an illustration of how origami slats can be assembled in an automated fashion by combining DNA strands from a strand library using a robotic liquid handler. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University