Need stronger structures? No problem! The sculptures can be reinforced with additional layers for increased stability.
A wide variety of forms
The result is a program that can create a wide variety of forms: cones, gourds, and clover leaf shapes. Most notably, DNAxiS is the first such software tool that lets users design these types of shapes automatically, using algorithms to determine where to place the short DNA “staples” to join the longer DNA rings together and hold the shapes in place.
“If there are too few, or if they’re in the wrong position, the structure won’t form correctly,” Fu explained. “Before our software, the curvature of the shapes made this an especially difficult problem.”
Although practical applications of the novel software in the lab or clinic may still be years away, Reif said “it’s a big step forward in terms of automated design of novel three-dimensional structures.”
The paper has been published in the journal Science Advances.
Study abstract:
Improving the precision and function of encapsulating three-dimensional (3D) DNA nanostructures via curved geometries could have transformative impacts on areas such as molecular transport, drug delivery, and nanofabrication. However, the addition of non-rasterized curvature escalates design complexity without algorithmic regularity, and these challenges have limited the ad hoc development and usage of previously unknown shapes. In this work, we develop and automate the application of a set of previously unknown design principles that now includes a multilayer design for closed and curved DNA nanostructures to resolve past obstacles in shape selection, yield, mechanical rigidity, and accessibility. We design, analyze, and experimentally demonstrate a set of diverse 3D curved nanoarchitectures, showing planar asymmetry and examining partial multilayer designs. Our automated design tool implements a combined algorithmic and numerical approximation strategy for scaffold routing and crossover placement, which may enable wider applications of general DNA nanostructure design for nonregular or oblique shapes.
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