DNA origami single crystals with Wulff shapes

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Yong Wang, Nanjing University; Lizhi Dai, Nanjing University; Zhiyuan Ding, Nanjing University; Min Ji, Nanjing University; Jiliang Liu, Brookhaven National Laboratory; Hang Xing, Hunan University; Xiaoguo Liu, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Yonggang Ke, Emory University; Chunhai Fan, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Peng Wang, Nanjing University; Ye Tian, Nanjing University
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-05-21
• Publisher: NATURE RESEARCH
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s) 2021
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-23332-4
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 3011
• End Page: 3011
• Grant/Funding Information: This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 21971109, No. 11874199 and No. 21834004), Jiangsu Youth Fund (Grant No. BK20180337), the International Cooperation and Exchange Program by NSFC (No. 11911530174) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant No. 14380151 and No. 020514380224) from Nanjing University.
• Keywords: FOLDING DNA; NANOPARTICLE; Science & Technology; Science & Technology - Other Topics; Multidisciplinary Sciences; NANOSTRUCTURES; ARRAYS
• Research Categories: Engineering, Chemical; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

DNA origami technology has proven to be an excellent tool for precisely manipulating molecules and colloidal elements in a three-dimensional manner. However, fabrication of single crystals with well-defined facets from highly programmable, complex DNA origami units is a great challenge. Here, we report the successful fabrication of DNA origami single crystals with Wulff shapes and high yield. By regulating the symmetries and binding modes of the DNA origami building blocks, the crystalline shapes can be designed and well-controlled. The single crystals are then used to induce precise growth of an ultrathin layer of silica on the edges, resulting in mechanically reinforced silica-DNA hybrid structures that preserve the details of the single crystals without distortion. The silica-infused microcrystals can be directly observed in the dry state, which allows meticulous analysis of the crystal facets and tomographic 3D reconstruction of the single crystals by high-resolution electron microscopy.