title: Three-dimensional structures self-assembled from DNA bricks.
abstract: We describe a simple and robust method to construct complex three-dimensional (3D) structures by using short synthetic DNA strands that we call "DNA bricks." In one-step annealing reactions, bricks with hundreds of distinct sequences self-assemble into prescribed 3D shapes. Each 32-nucleotide brick is a modular component; it binds to four local neighbors and can be removed or added independently. Each 8-base pair interaction between bricks defines a voxel with dimensions of 2.5 by 2.5 by 2.7 nanometers, and a master brick collection defines a "molecular canvas" with dimensions of 10 by 10 by 10 voxels. By selecting subsets of bricks from this canvas, we constructed a panel of 102 distinct shapes exhibiting sophisticated surface features, as well as intricate interior cavities and tunnels.
authors.affiliation: Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Yonggang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ke
authors.forename: Luvena L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yin
mesh_terms: D020029:Base Pairing; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D009711:Nucleotides / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D009711:Nucleotides