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CBES: Center for Bio-Inspired Energy Science

Self-Assembled Three-Dimensional Chiral Colloidal Architecture: Uniquely Left or Uniquely Right Handed

Scientific Achievement

We used DNA nanotechnology to self-assemble uniquely left handed or right handed micron scale colloidal clusters — a step toward freeform architecture.

self-assembled-three-dimensional-chiral-colloidal-architecture.png

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