DNA nanotechnology

Ofer I. Wilner, Bilha Willner, Itamar Willner*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

The base sequence encoded in nucleic acids yields significant structural and functional properties into the biopolymer. The resulting nucleic acid nanostructures provide the basis for the rapidly developing area of DNA nanotechnology. Advances in this field will be exemplified by discussing the following topics: (i) Hemin/G-quadruplex DNA nanostructures exhibit unique electrocatalytic, chemiluminescence and photophysical properties. Their integration with electrode surfaces or semiconductor quantum dots enables the development of new electrochemical or optical bioanalytical platforms for sensing DNA. (ii) The encoding of structural information into DNA enables the activation of autonomous replication processes that enable the ultrasensitive detection of DNA. (iii) By the appropriate design of DNA nanostructures, functional DNA machines, acting as "tweezers", "walkers" and "stepper" systems, can be tailored. (iv) The self-assembly of nucleic acid nanostructures (nanowires, strips, nanotubes) allows the programmed positioning of proteins on the DNA templates and the activation of enzyme cascades.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNano-Biotechnology for Biomedical and Diagnostic Research
PublisherSpringer New York LLC
Pages97-114
Number of pages18
ISBN (Print)9789400725546
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011

Publication series

NameAdvances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
Volume733
ISSN (Print)0065-2598

Keywords

  • DNA
  • Machines
  • Nanostructures
  • Nanotechnology
  • Sensors

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'DNA nanotechnology'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this