Suchetan Pal

DNA Origami with Complex Curvatures in Three-Dimensional Space

Rationally introduced crossover positions bend networks of double-helical DNA strands into complex shapes. We present a strategy to design and construct self-assembling DNA nanostructures that define intricate curved surfaces in three-dimensional (3D) space using the DNA origami folding technique. Double-helical DNA is bent to follow the rounded contours of the target object, and potential strand crossovers are subsequently identified. Concentric rings of DNA are used to generate in-plane curvature, constrained to 2D by rationally designed geometries and crossover networks. Out-of-plane curvature is introduced by adjusting the particular position and pattern of crossovers between adjacent DNA double helices, whose conformation often deviates from the natural, B-form twist density. A series of DNA nanostructures with high curvature—such as 2D arrangements of concentric rings and 3D spherical shells, ellipsoidal shells, and a nanoflask—were assembled.

DNA-Origami-Directed Self-Assembly of Discrete Silver-Nanoparticle Architectures†

We report a bottom-up method for the fabrication of discrete, well-ordered AgNP nanoarchitectures on self-assembled DNA origami structures of triangular shape by using AgNPs (20 nm in diameter) conjugated with chimeric phosphorothioated DNA (ps-po DNA) as building blocks. Discrete monomeric, dimeric, and trimeric AgNP structures and a AgNP–AuNP hybrid structure could be constructed reliably in high yield. We demonstrate that the center-to-center distance between adjacent AgNPs can be precisely tuned from 94 to 29 nm, whereby the distance distribution is limited by the size distribution of the nanoparticles. The self-assembly of discrete AgNP and AgNP–AuNP nanoarchitectures by using rationally designed DNA templates enabled us to control some of the properties that are essential for hierarchical nanoparticle assembly. These properties include but are not limited to the spatial relationship between the particles and the identity of the particles. The system described herein could potentially be used to gain better insight into particle–particle interactions. Systematic studies with this objective are underway. Although more systematic investigations (e.g. spectroscopic studies combined with theoretical simulation of the assembled structures) are needed to identify the photonic properties of the spatially controlled AgNP architectures, we see no fundamental limitation now to the assembly of target structures.

Folding and cutting DNA into reconfigurable topological nanostructures

Topology is the mathematical study of the spatial properties that are preserved through the deformation, twisting and stretching of objects. Topological architectures are common in nature and can be seen, for example, in DNA molecules that condense and relax during cellular events. Synthetic topological nanostructures, such as catenanes and rotaxanes, have been engineered using supramolecular chemistry, but the fabrication of complex and reconfigurable structures remains challenging. Here, we show that DNA origami can be used to assemble a Möbius strip, a topological ribbon-like structure that has only one side. In addition, we show that the DNA Möbius strip can be reconfigured through strand displacement to create topological objects such as supercoiled ring and catenane structures. This DNA fold-and-cut strategy, analogous to Japanese kirigami, may be used to create and reconfigure programmable topological structures that are unprecedented in molecular engineering.

DNA Gridiron Nanostructures Based on Four-Arm Junctions

Rewiring DNA Origami Complex DNA nanostructures can be formed from a long scaffold strand of DNA by binding many shorter “staple” strands. In these DNA origami structures, the path of the scaffold has been restricted by a double-crossover motif to form parallel helices. Han et al. (p. 1412) now describe a more flexible approach based on a “gridiron unit” in which four four-arm junctions link together to form a two-layer square frame. A variety of two- and three-dimensional structures were created, including highly curved structures, such as a sphere and a screw. Flexible DNA wireframe nanostructures have double-helical domains as edges and modified Holliday junctions as vertices. Engineering wireframe architectures and scaffolds of increasing complexity is one of the important challenges in nanotechnology. We present a design strategy to create gridiron-like DNA structures. A series of four-arm junctions are used as vertices within a network of double-helical DNA fragments. Deliberate distortion of the junctions from their most relaxed conformations ensures that a scaffold strand can traverse through individual vertices in multiple directions. DNA gridirons were assembled, ranging from two-dimensional arrays with reconfigurability to multilayer and three-dimensional structures and curved objects.

DNA Directed Self-Assembly of Anisotropic Plasmonic Nanostructures

Programmable positioning of one-dimensional (1D) gold nanorods (AuNRs) was achieved by DNA directed self-assembly. AuNR dimer structures with various predetermined inter-rod angles and relative distances were constructed with high efficiency. These discrete anisotropic metallic nanostructures exhibit unique plasmonic properties, as measured experimentally and simulated by the discrete dipole approximation method.

Stable silver nanoparticle–DNA conjugates for directed self-assembly of core-satellite silver–gold nanoclusters

We report a novel strategy to functionalize silver nanoparticles with chimeric phosphorothioate modified DNA (ps-po-DNA) and the fabrication of bimetallic core-satellite nanoclusters that each contain a silver core (diameter 32 nm) surrounded by 5 nm gold NPs.

Site‐Specific Synthesis and In Situ Immobilization of Fluorescent Silver Nanoclusters on DNA Nanoscaffolds by Use of the Tollens Reaction

DNA strands with specific sequences and covalently attached sugar moieties were used for the site-specific incorporation of the sugar units on a DNA origami scaffold. This approach enabled the subsequent site-specific synthesis and in situ immobilization of fluorescent Ag clusters at predefined positions on the DNA nanoscaffold by treatment with the Tollens reagent.

Dynamic Tuning of DNA-Nanoparticle Superlattices by Molecular Intercalation of Double Helix

Nanoparticle (NP) assembly using DNA recognition has emerged as a powerful tool for the fabrication of 3D superlattices. In addition to the vast structural diversity, this approach provides an avenue for dynamic 3D NP assembly, which is promising for the modulation of interparticle distances and, hence, for example, for in situ tuning of optical properties. While several approaches have been explored for changing NP separations in the lattices using responsiveness of single-stranded DNA (ss-DNA), far less work has been done for the manipulation of most abundant double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) motifs. Here, we present a novel strategy for modulation of interparticle distances in DNA linked 3D self-assembled NP lattices by molecular intercalator. We utilize ethidium bromide (EtBr) as a model intercalator to demonstrate selective and isotropic lattice expansion for three superlattice types (bcc, fcc, and AlB2) due to the intercalation of ds-DNA linking NPs. We further show the reversibility of the lattice parameter using n-butanol as a retrieving agent as well as an increased lattice thermal stability by 12-14 °C due to the inclusion of EtBr. The proposed intercalator-based strategy permits the creation of reconfigurable and thermally stable superlattices, which could lead to tunable and functionally responsive materials.

Stoichiometric control of DNA-grafted colloid self-assembly

Significance Recently, there has been an increased interest in understanding the self-assembly of DNA-grafted colloids into different morphologies. Conventional approaches assume that the critical design parameters are the size and number of DNA grafts on each particle. Stoichiometry is viewed as a secondary variable and its exact role in this context is unresolved. In contrast with these expectations, our experiments show that the equilibrium lattice structure can be tuned through variations in the imposed stoichiometry. These findings are captured through simple extensions of the complementary contact model. Stoichiometry is thus shown to be a powerful handle to control these self-assembled structures. There has been considerable interest in understanding the self-assembly of DNA-grafted nanoparticles into different crystal structures, e.g., CsCl, AlB2, and Cr3Si. Although there are important exceptions, a generally accepted view is that the right stoichiometry of the two building block colloids needs to be mixed to form the desired crystal structure. To incisively probe this issue, we combine experiments and theory on a series of DNA-grafted nanoparticles at varying stoichiometries, including noninteger values. We show that stoichiometry can couple with the geometries of the building blocks to tune the resulting equilibrium crystal morphology. As a concrete example, a stoichiometric ratio of 3:1 typically results in the Cr3Si structure. However, AlB2 can form when appropriate building blocks are used so that the AlB2 standard-state free energy is low enough to overcome the entropic preference for Cr3Si. These situations can also lead to an undesirable phase coexistence between crystal polymorphs. Thus, whereas stoichiometry can be a powerful handle for direct control of lattice formation, care must be taken in its design and selection to avoid polymorph coexistence.

Hierarchical assembly of plasmonic nanostructures using virus capsid scaffolds on DNA origami templates

Building plasmonic nanostructures using biomolecules as scaffolds has shown great potential for attaining tunable light absorption and emission via precise spatial organization of optical species and antennae. Here we report bottom-up assembly of hierarchical plasmonic nanostructures using DNA origami templates and MS2 virus capsids. These serve as programmable scaffolds that provide molecular level control over the distribution of fluorophores and nanometer-scale control over their distance from a gold nanoparticle antenna. While previous research using DNA origami to assemble plasmonic nanostructures focused on determining the distance-dependent response of single fluorophores, here we address the challenge of constructing hybrid nanostructures that present an organized ensemble of fluorophores and then investigate the plasmonic response. By combining finite-difference time-domain numerical simulations with atomic force microscopy and correlated scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy, we find that the use of the scaffold keeps the majority of the fluorophores out of the quenching zone, leading to increased fluorescence intensity and mild levels of enhancement. The results show that the degree of enhancement can be controlled by exploiting capsid scaffolds of different sizes and tuning capsid-AuNP distances. These bioinspired plasmonic nanostructures provide a flexible design for manipulating photonic excitation and photoemission.