From MPPWiki

A logic-gated DNA origami robot for targeting molecular payloads to cells

• Shawn Douglas, Harvard University

Abstract

The programmability of DNA makes it an attractive material for constructing intricate nanoscale shapes. The DNA-origami method, in which a multiple-kilobase single-stranded 'scaffold' is folded into a custom shape by interaction with hundreds of short oligonucleotide 'staple' strands, has proved to be extremely versatile for creating custom shapes with 100 nm dimensions. I will describe our efforts to extend this method to create custom three-dimensional structures in which the DNA packs in layers on a 3D lattice, and our recent development of nanoscale devices to mimic cell‐signaling stimulation carried out by our own immune systems.