Self-Assembled Three-Dimensional Chiral Colloidal Architecture: Uniquely Left or Uniquely Right Handed
November 3, 2017
Scientific Achievement
We used DNA nanotechnology to self-assemble uniquely left handed or right handed micron scale colloidal clusters — a step toward freeform architecture.
Main steps of synthesis – A DNA origami complex is mixed with complementary DNA coated colloids to controllably self assemble either left handed or right handed clusters. Scale Bars are 2 microns.
Significance and Impact
We demonstrate a general technology using nanometer programmed DNA information to guide self-assembly of meta-materials for uses from biology to photonics.
Research Details
- Freeform self-assembly requires control over angles, dihedral angels and chirality.
- Previously micron scale self-assembly focused on periodic structures as control over angles and chirality was limited to molecular structures and nanoparticles.
- We married the functional flexibility of DNA origami nanotechnology with the structural rigidity of colloidal particles to extend the province of programmable self-assembly to the micron scale, and beyond.
Self-Assembled Three-Dimensional Chiral Colloidal Architecture: Uniquely Left or Uniquely Right Handed
Ben Zion, M.Y., He, X., Maass, C.C., Sha, R., Seeman, N.C., Chaikin P.M.
Science 358, 2017, 633-636.
Work performed at the Center for Soft Matter Research, New York University