DNA Surface Technology: From Gene Sensors to Integrated Systems for Life and Materials Sciences

Abstract

The evolution of DNA microarray technology has led to sophisticated DNA chips that are being used as routine tools for fundamental and applied genome research such as genotyping and expression profiling. Owing to their capability for highly parallel, site‐directed immobilization of complementary nucleic acids through canonical Watson–Crick base‐pairing, however, DNA‐modified surfaces can also be used for the assembly of complex surface architectures comprised of non‐nucleic acid compounds, such as proteins or colloidal materials. Furthermore, implementation of functional DNA devices and structural DNA nanotechnology can unlock the full potential of DNA surfaces. Based on case studies from diagnostics, sensing, proteome research, cell adhesion, and cell signaling, we show how classical gene sensors have developed into modern integrated systems and platforms for various applications in life sciences and materials research.

Bottom‐Up Assembly of DNA–Silica Nanocomposites into Micrometer‐Sized Hollow Spheres

“…The sequence‐specific binding properties of nucleic acids have been exploited over the past 35 years to establish the field of DNA nanotechnology, which has developed into a highly innovative and lively field of research at the interface of chemistry, materials science, biotechnology, and nanotechnology . At present, it is becoming clearly evident that the various sub‐disciplines of DNA nanotechnology, ranging from pure “structural DNA nanotechnology” over protein DNA assemblies, nanoparticle‐based DNA materials, and DNA polymers to DNA surface technology, are growing ever closer together to create functional devices for applications in the bio‐ and materials sciences . However, there is still a great need for methodological approaches to bridge the size regime of individual DNA nanostructures with that of micrometer‐ and millimeter‐sized units for real‐world applications.…”

From DNA Nanotechnology to Material Systems Engineering

“…To address this issue, early work on the modification of nucleic acid nanostructures concerning the integration of proteins and nanoparticles has been continuously expanded in order to exploit DNA nanostructures as scaffolds for the precise positioning of (bio)molecular (Section ) and colloidal (Section ) components . This main stream of developments in DNA nanotechnology is flanked by the development in two additional areas, DNA polymer chemistry (Section ) and DNA surface technology (Section ) . In this progress report, we will give a brief summary of the state of the art and highlight challenges in the subfields that have been overcome and still need to be resolved.…”

Segregation of Dispersed Silica Nanoparticles in Microfluidic Water‐in‐Oil Droplets: A Kinetic Study

“…Indeed, this hypothesis is supported by the almost unchanged ζ value (Figure S1). This result is of great importance for further developments in the segregation‐driven assembly of materials because the implementation of DNA‐directed immobilization of DNA‐protein conjugates opens up countless possibilities. For example, antibodies or other ligands could be spatially organized by means of SiNP at the inner surface of microfluidic droplets, thus leading to micrometer‐sized hollow bodies, which could be used as containers for biomolecules or cells.…”