UCSF

Nanomaterials get complicatedAn important goal in nanotechnology is the programmable self-assembly of complex, three-dimensional nanostructures. With DNA as the building block, synthesis techniques have developed to the stage where two-dimensional designer structures and certain three-dimensional structures can be produced. Douglas et al. describe a refinement of the scaffolded DNA origami technique capable of producing three-dimensional objects of more or less any desired form, to a scale of ten to a hundred nanometres, and with an impressive degree of control over the positions of the various DNA helices. The synthesis involves DNA helices arranged on pleated strands and assembled into honeycomb-like three-dimensional structures. The various strands link together via phosphate groups. The method produces complex objects that are slow to assemble. But it also provides a route towards assembling custom devices with nanometre-scale features, as demonstrated by the construction of objects with shapes resembling a square nut, slotted cross and wire-frame icosahedron.