Nanoengineered Bioplatforms Based on DNA Origami [Point of View]

DNA is generally associated with the storage of genetic information. However, in many ways, it is also an ideal building material. The shape of a DNA structure is determined by the sequences of the DNA strands within the structure. DNA origami [1] has recently evolved as a method for producing programmable structures at the nanoscale. In a DNA origami, a long single-stranded DNA molecule is folded and held in place with shorter DNA strands. This process can be visualized by taking a very long tube or hose and folding it into a desired shape. Smaller strands of the same material can then be used to tie the large tube into a space-filling structure. In the case of DNA origami the shorter strands are called staples. The staples crosslink and stabilize the entire structure, enabling the formation of complex and programmable 2-D and 3-D shapes. Structures with considerable complexity can be designed and produced.