Assembling Materials with DNA as the Guide
Faisal A. Aldaye,1
Alison L. Palmer,2
Hanadi F. Sleiman1*
DNA's remarkable molecular recognition properties and structural
features make it one of the most promising templates to pattern
materials with nanoscale precision. The emerging field of DNA
nanotechnology strips this molecule from any preconceived biological
role and exploits its simple code to generate addressable nanostructures
in one, two, and three dimensions. These structures have been
used to precisely position proteins, nanoparticles, transition
metals, and other functional components into deliberately designed
patterns. They can also act as templates for the growth of nanowires,
aid in the structural determination of proteins, and provide
new platforms for genomics applications. The field of DNA nanotechnology
is growing in a number of directions, carrying with it the promise
to substantially affect materials science and biology.
2 Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, 180 Dundas Street West, Suite 1400, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z8, Canada.
* To whom correspondence should be sent. E-mail: hanadi.sleiman{at}mcgill.ca
