DNA Nanotechnology Platform for 3D Nanoscale Manufacturing

One of the main challenges in nanoscale manufacturing is achieving precise three-dimensional (3D) positioning and organization of materials. DNA nanotechnology, such as DNA origami, offers a solution to this problem by leveraging the predictable base-pairing properties of DNA to design and construct nanoscale structures with molecular precision. However, most 3D biomolecular shapes can only span directions of about 20-30 nanometers and are quite floppy. Platforms that enable the design and creation of larger and more rigid multicomponent 3D objects are needed.  

 

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a novel DNA nanotechnology platform that uses rigid specially-shaped DNA nanostructures capable of connecting through complementary overhangs. It employs a computational design algorithm to optimize assembly and reduce errors, allowing the creation of large, complex, and stable 3D shapes at the nanoscale. Functionalization with materials like gold nanoparticles or proteins expands its utility across various fields, including photonics and enzymatic cascades. This platform enables 3D nanoscale manufacturing, where DNA strands act as scaffolds or templates to organize other materials—such as metals, proteins, or nanoparticles—with atomic precision.

 

This universal DNA-based platform enables precise self-assembly of complex 3D nanostructures with functional versatility.