Rational design of self-assembly pathways for complex multicomponent structures.

ABSTRACT: The field of complex self-assembly is moving toward the design of multiparticle structures consisting of thousands of distinct building blocks. To exploit the potential benefits of structures with such "addressable complexity," we need to understand the factors that optimize the yield and the kinetics of self-assembly. Here we use a simple theoretical method to explain the key features responsible for the unexpected success of DNA-brick experiments, which are currently the only demonstration of reliable self-assembly with such a large number of components. Simulations confirm that our theory accurately predicts the narrow temperature window in which error-free assembly can occur. Even more strikingly, our theory predicts that correct assembly of the complete structure may require a time-de

SUBMITTER: Jacobs WM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4443370 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature