Modular and Chemically Responsive Oligonucleotide “Bonds” in Nanoparticle Superlattices
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: Chemical bonds are a key determinant of the structure and properties of a material. Thus, rationally designing arbitrary materials requires complete control over the bond. While atomic bonding is dictated by the identity of the atoms, nanoparticle superlattice engineering, where nanoparticle "atoms" are held together by DNA "bonds", offers a route to design crystal lattices in a way that nature cannot: through altering the oligonucleotide bond. Herein, the use of RNA, as opposed to DNA, is explored by synthesizing superlattices in which nanoparticles are bonded by DNA/DNA, RNA/RNA, and DNA/RNA duplexes. By moving beyond nanoparticle superlattices assembled only with DNA, a new degree of freedom is introduced, providing programmed responsiveness to enzymes and greater bond versatility. Therefore, the oligonucleotide bond can have programmable function beyond dictating the structure of the material and moves nanoparticle superlattices closer to naturally occurring biomaterials, where the line between structural and functional elements is blurred.
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.5b07908
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Defense, Northwestern University, Philanthropic Educational Organization, National Institutes of Health, Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, Harvard University, National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, National Cancer Institute, Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Awards: G1745892387, G3590795778
OpenAlex ID: W2397125745