DNA Nanotechnology in
Ned Seeman's Laboratory

If you got here through an interest in Nanotechnology or DNA-Based Computation, you might be interested in learning about and joining the
International Society for Nanoscale Science, Computation and Engineering

A major effort in our laboratory is devoted to nanotechnological applications of DNA. The attachment of specific sticky ends to a DNA branched junction enables the construction of stick figures, whose edges are double-stranded DNA. This technology has already been used to make a cube and a truncated octahedron from DNA. Ultimate goals for this approach include the rational synthesis of periodic matter and the assembly of a biochip computer. The reason for trying to synthesize periodic matter in a rational fashion is the weakness of the current crystallization protocol and the expectation that DNA sticky ends can be used to assemble DNA cages containing oriented guests. If we can achieve this goal, we will have a good handle on the crystallization of all biological molecules.

We have used antiparallel double crossover molecules as components to create 2-D DNA crystals. In addition to producing periodic arrays, we have also performed an algorithmic assembly.  We have used this approach to organize DNAzymes and gold nanoparticles.  In a major advance for nanorobotics, we have developed a cassette that can insert a sequence-dependent DNA device into a 2D crystalline DNA array.

In another advance using antiparallel double crossover molecules, we have made a two-state nanomechanical device. We have produced a robust sequence-dependent device.  Further advances in nanomechanical devices are described in the link.

Future steps in this project include the synthesis of 3-D crystalline arrays (lattices), and exploring the relationship between order and symmetry.

Go to Seeman Lab DNA Nanotechnology Bibliography

Go to Unisci Story on our Nanotechnology Work

Go to Homepage for Ned Seeman's Lab