What can DNA origami be used for?

DNA origami technology enables us to design and construct a variety of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) nano-scale structures (nanostructures) made of only DNA with high accuracy and efficiency. Recently, in addition to DNA, bioengineers have also been attracted to the use of RNA.

What are DNA origami nanostructures?

DNA origami are intricate, DNA-based nanostructures that are precisely folded into specific shapes via sequence-programmed self-assembly. These nanostructures can be chemically modified, and they can be used for a variety of applications, such as delivering drug molecules or developing novel biosensors and nanodevices.

When was DNA origami invented?

2006
In 2006, a method called DNA origami was introduced by Rothemund [12]. This method enabled an increase in complexity and the creation of larger nanostructures (in the range of hundreds of nm) [13,14].

How is DNA origami formed?

DNA origami is created via self-assembly. The combination of heat and chemical denaturation of double-stranded DNA scaffold strands in the presence of staple strands, followed by a sudden drop in temperature and stepwise dialysis to remove chemical denaturant favors self-assembly.

What is the DNA packaging?

Chromosomal DNA is packaged inside microscopic nuclei with the help of histones. These are positively-charged proteins that strongly adhere to negatively-charged DNA and form complexes called nucleosomes. Nucleosomes fold up to form a 30-nanometer chromatin fiber, which forms loops averaging 300 nanometers in length.

Who proposed Origami?

This structure was first famously proposed by Francis Crick and James Watson, based upon results from nearly two years of work and was partly based on X-ray diffraction data from their colleagues Maurice Wilkins and Rosalind Franklin.

What are staple strands?

DNA origami works by folding a circular strand of DNA that serves as a backbone. Oligonucleotides, known as staple strands, then hybridise to the backbone which cause it to fold in specific sections.

Why is DNA packaging needed?

DNA packaging is an important process in living cells. Without it, a cell is not able to accommodate large amount of DNA that is stored inside. Therefore, DNA packaging is crucial because it makes sure that those excessive DNA are able to fit nicely in a cell that is many times smaller.

What is needed for DNA packaging?

Chromosomal DNA is packaged inside microscopic nuclei with the help of histones. These are positively-charged proteins that strongly adhere to negatively-charged DNA and form complexes called nucleosomes. Each nuclesome is composed of DNA wound 1.65 times around eight histone proteins.

What is DNA nanostructure?

DNA nanostructures are nanoscale structures made of DNA, which acts both as a structural and functional element. DNA nanostructures can serve as scaffolds for the formation of more complex structures.

How much DNA is in a human cell?

Each human cell has around 6 feet of DNA. Let’s say each human has around 10 trillion cells (this is actually a low ball estimate). This would mean that each person has around 60 trillion feet or around 10 billion miles of DNA inside of them.

Why is DNA packaging so important?

What is dnadna origami and how does it work?

DNA Origami is one of the most recent techniques of utilizing DNA as building blocks for synthesis of nanoparticles. It is one of the latest methods in the field of nanotechnology, having its own limitations and opportunities. “Origami” is a Japanese word that means folding of plain sheet into an arbitrary form having a specific dimension.

How is DNA origami used to measure molecular distances?

Biophysicist Friedrich Simmel as the Technical University of Munich have used DNA origami to create rulers to measure molecular distances and calibrate high-resolution microscopes. Simmel designed a DNA origami rectangle measuring 100 nm by 70 nm and included some staple strands labelled with fluorescent dye molecules.

Can DNA origami be used to treat cancer?

DNA origami structures, particularly those with triangular shapes, have been shown to target cancer cells specifically [11]. Scientists recently developed a hybrid of a triangular DNA origami structure with a gold nanorod [12]. This hybrid product successfully functioned as both an optoacoustic imaging agent and a photothermal therapy agent.

How can DNA origami be used to study fluorescence?

Researchers have also used DNA origami to investigate the dependence of fluorescence on intermolecular distance by controlling the quenching of fluorophores by nanoparticles [3]. Origami structures can be designed to deliver an enzyme to its substrate or block this interaction.