PH Controlled Assembly of DNA Tiles

Overview

Responsive self-assembling DNA nanostructures generally take intensity or input concentration as inputs, with the responses to these inputs being encoded within the structure itself; however, expanding the possibilities for inputs opens up new applications for self-assembling DNA nanostructures. A pH-controlled DNA catalytic circuit can be used to expand the possible inputs for these systems and give us more control of their assembly. .

Results

The authors created a pH-controlled assembly of DNA tiles through the use of a DNA strand displacement catalytic circuit; this control is achieved by utilizing the pH sensitivity of triplex DNA. This design has potential for numerous medical applications, given the wide array of diseases that can be identified through irregular pH levels in the human body.