# Dynamic Morphological Transformation and Self‐Assembly of DNA‐Functionalized Cellulose Nanocrystal Building Blocks

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a DNA-based method to control the shape and self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals, enabling sustainable and scalable solutions for applications in medicine and robotics.

## Contribution

A DNA-mediated strategy for dynamic morphological transformation and self-assembly of cellulose nanocrystals into programmable architectures.

## Key findings

- A DNA-mediated strategy enables rod-to-sphere-to-rod transformation of cellulose nanocrystals.
- The method leads to the formation of slab-like architectures in colloidal states.
- The approach offers a sustainable and scalable pathway for biocompatible self-assembly.

## Abstract

Self‐assembly of cellulose nanocrystals represents one of important pillars of nanoscience that integrates natural design motifs into development for sustainable solutions in key industries. However, there is only a limited number of methods that confer manipulation of interparticle interaction between cellulose nanocrystal building blocks and synthesis of well‐defined self‐assembly architectures. Herein, a DNA‐mediated strategy that enables a dynamic stepwise rod‐to‐sphere‐to‐rod morphological transformation of cellulose building blocks is introduced, culminating in the formation of slab‐like cellulose architectures in colloidal states. This work establishes a strategic bridge between cellulose nanocrystal assembly and programmable anisotropic nanoparticle systems while addressing a long‐standing challenge in DNA nanotechnology to producing scalable, biocompatible micro‐scale self‐assembly architectures. This work is envisioned that it may galvanize further research that accelerate the development of transformative solutions to address unmet challenges in medicine, energy, and soft robotics, particularly as carriers and scaffolds.

We present a simple strategy for dynamic rod‐to‐sphere‐to‐rod morphological transformation and DNA‐mediated self‐assembly of cellulose nanocrystal building blocks into slab‐like architectures in colloidal states. Our approach opens a sustainable, scalable pathway toward biocompatible self‐assembly architectures that may address critical challenges in transformative applications such as medicine, energy, and soft robotics. © 2025 WILEY‐VCH GmbH