Ligation-induced DNA self-assembly

TL;DR

This paper explores using ligation during DNA self-assembly to create stable nanostructures, rather than just stabilizing them after assembly.

Contribution

The novel use of ligation as an active process during DNA self-assembly is introduced, enabling the creation of stable nanostructures.

Findings

Ligation can transform transient DNA base pairing into permanent bonds during self-assembly.

The method successfully constructs discrete and extended DNA nanostructures.

Ligation enables hierarchical assembly of preformed DNA units into higher-order superstructures.

Abstract

Ligation is a common treatment for the resulting DNA nanostructures to gain extra stability. In this study, we aim to utilize ligation as an active process in self-assembly instead of post-assembly stabilization. Our investigation focuses on constructs with transiently paired segments. Transient base pairing fails to hold up the assembled complex, but ligation treatment turns the transient base pairing into permanent ones and thus induces the desired self-assembly. We apply the method to a number of assembly tasks, leading to the successful construction of discrete and extended DNA nanostructures. Furthermore, we apply the ligation-based method in the hierarchical assembly of preformed DNA nanostructure units into higher-order superstructures.

Graphical Abstract

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