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13
DNA NANOTECHNOLOGY AND
ITS BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
John H. Reif and Thomas H. LaBean
This chapter presents an overview of the emerging research area of DNA
nanostructures and biomolecular devices. We discuss work involving the use of
synthetic DNA to self-assemble DNA nanostructure devices. Recently, there have
been a series of quite astonishing experimental results that have taken the
technology from a state of intriguing possibilities into demonstrated capabilities
of quickly increasing scale. We particularly emphasize molecular devices that are
programmable and autonomous. By programmable, we mean the tasks executed
can be modified without entirely redesigning the nanostructure. By autonomous, we
mean that the steps are executed with no exterior mediation after starting. We
discuss such programmable molecular-scale devices that achieve various capabilities,
including computation, 2D patterning, amplified sensing, and molecular transport.
13.1. INTRODUCTION
13.1.1. DNA Nanotechnology and its Use to Assemble
Molecular-Scale Devices
The particular molecular-scale devices that are the topic of this article are known as
DNA nanostructures. We will explain how DNA nanostructures have some unique
advantages among nanostructures: They are relatively easy to design, fairly
predictable in their geometric structures, and have been experimentally implemen-
ted in a growing number of labs around the world. They are constructed primarily
of synthetic DNA. A key principle in the study of DNA nanostructures is the use of
self-assembly processes to actuate the molecular assembly. Since self-assembly
operates naturally at the molecular scale, it does not suffer from the limitation in
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