Replicating programmed colloidal sequences

Abstract

Nature uses replication to amplify the information necessary for the intricate structures vital for life. Despite some successes with pure nucleotide structures [1–5], constructing synthetic microscale systems capable of replication remains largely out of reach [6]. Here we show a functioning strategy for microscale replication using DNA-coated colloids. By positioning DNA-functionalized colloids through capillary assembly [7] and embedding them into a polymer layer, we create programmable sequences of patchy particles that act as a primer and offer precise binding of complementary particles from suspension. The strings of complementary colloids are crosslinked, released from the primer, and purified via flow cytometric sorting, to achieve a purity of up to 81% of replicated sequences. We demonstrate the replication of strings of up to five colloids, non-linear shapes, and using particles of different sizes and materials. Furthermore, we propose a strategy to replicate a second generation of sequences with the vision for exponential self-replication.