Controlling the Hierarchical Assembly of DNA-Based Hexagonal Microstructures.

ABSTRACT: This paper discusses the controlled morphology of hierarchical liquid crystalline DNA assemblies. Through a process of heating and slow cooling, double-stranded DNAs (dsDNAs) having 23 complementary bases and two base overhangs (a pair of 25mer oligonucleotides) spontaneously assemble into micro-sized hexagonal platelets in a solution containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and salt. Remarkably, the addition of a shorter dsDNA with AA/TT overhangs (a pair of 18mer oligonucleotides) to a PEG-salt solution of 25mer DNA with AA/TT overhangs results in the formation of molecular tubes, each with a central blockage. In contrast, the addition of 18mer DNA with GG/CC overhangs leads to the formation of hexagonal frames from hexagonal platelets. In the assemblies, 18mer DNA is more predominant at t

SUBMITTER: Makino T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11817929 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature