Smart Nanomachines Based on DNA Self‐Assembly

Abstract

DNA-based nanomachines are self-assembled DNA superstructures that harness chemical free energy to perform mechanical work. The development of DNA machines has benefited greatly from the achievements in both structural and dynamic DNA nanotechnology. In this review, the configurations of DNA machines, fuel systems, and operations are discussed to outline the evolving paths of DNA machines. The focus is on the smart mechanical behavior of DNA machines, from the standpoint of upgrading the complexity of DNA nanostructures, cooperative activation of multimachinary systems, and the establishment of a network of the mechanical states. In the end, the challenges are highlighted and possible solutions are proposed to push forward smart DNA nanomachines, with the goal of creating biomimicking systems. Insights are also provided into the potential applications of the DNA machines with designable intelligence.

Self‐Assembled DNA Nanostructures for Biomedical Applications

“…Noble metal nanoparticles have been widely used in biomedicine, due to their unique surface plasma resonance (SPR) and small size effects (enhanced permeability and retention effect) that result in photothermal, photoacoustic and scattering effects of the nanoparticles in vivo. Noble metal nanoparticles assembled with DNA nanostructure templates have been extensively investigated for years . Xu's group assembled upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with TDNs to detect intracellular microRNA (miRNA) in real time.…”

“…Noble metal nanoparticles assembled with DNA nanostructure templates have been ex- ChemNanoMat 2017, 3,7 13 -724 www.chemnanomat.org tensively investigated for years. [91] Xu'sg roup assembled upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with TDNs to detecti ntracellular microRNA (miRNA) in real time. Both UCNPs and AuNPs were located on the vertices of TDNs.T he fluorescence of UCNPs was quenched by AuNPs, and the self-assembled complex showedastrong plasmonic circulard ichroism (CD) signal.…”

Cascade DNA nanomachine and exponential amplification biosensing

“…Due to the obvious advantages such as specific base-pairing, predictable assembly, and single-stranded flexibility, DNA is commonly employed as a smart building block in the design of DNA based nanomachines Modi et al, 2009;Seeman, 2003;Simmel and Dittmer, 2005;Song et al, 2013;Wang et al, 2010), some of which have been applied as the useful tools for bioassays with highly amplified efficiency (Chen et al, 2015;Wen et al, 2012). The efficient construction of DNA nanomachine has become a more and more active research area in medical research and clinical diagnosis.…”

Dynamic Chemistry of Disulfide Terminated Oligonucleotides in Duplexes and Double‐Crossover Tiles

“…DNA nanotechnology is not limited to the fabrication of merely ornamentals tructures. Function can be gained by hybridization [18] and can be highly enhanced by conjugating DNA strandst of unctionale lements, such as small molecules, proteins, polymers,a nd metal nanoparticles, by using relatively simple chemistries. [19][20][21] DNA nanostructures are used in the development of biosensors, [22] delivery systems, [23] and molecular electronic devices.…”