Self-assembly of DNA-coded nanoclusters

TL;DR

This paper discusses a theoretical scheme for using DNA to encode and assemble micro- and nanoparticle clusters, enabling hierarchical self-assembly of complex structures with considerations for experimental challenges.

Contribution

It introduces a novel DNA-based encoding scheme for micro- and nanoparticle clusters and analyzes key experimental factors affecting self-assembly.

Findings

Analysis of competition between different cluster types

Discussion of potential jamming in unwanted configurations

Consideration of degeneracy due to particle symmetry

Abstract

We present a theoretical discussion of a self-assembly scheme which makes it possible to use DNA to uniquely encode the composition and structure of micro- and nanoparticle clusters. These anisotropic DNA-decorated clusters can be further used as building blocks for hierarchical self-assembly of larger structures. We address several important aspects of possible experimental implementation of the proposed scheme: the competition between different types of clusters in a solution, possible jamming in an unwanted configuration, and the degeneracy due to symmetry with respect to particle permutations.