A Third Strand for DNA Nanotechnology Event

Abstract: DNA has proved to be a versatile polymer for the directed self-assembly of custom 2D and 3D objects, lattices and devices bearing features on the nanometre scale. The key to its success lies in our ability to (1) synthesise short strands of DNA with any desired base sequence; (2) program these strands to form double-helices through Watson-Crick base pairing interactions, and (3) exploit these double-helices as secondary structural elements, most often by strand exchange through the formation of crossover junctions. However, by itself DNA is rather inert and methods that allow the functionalisation of designer DNA scaffolds with biological and chemical components are highly sought after. Towards this end we have developed the triplex approach to DNA recognition as a means to introduce various non-nucleic acid components into DNA nanostructures by their chemical attachment to triplex-forming oligonucleotides. Here we will discuss the properties and requirements of triplex DNA with a view to their application in the functionalisation of DNA nanostructures for drug delivery, nanotechnology and structural biology.