The copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction has been used for the template-mediated chemical ligation of two oligonucleotide strands, one with a 5'-alkyne and the other with a 3'-azide, to produce a DNA strand with an unnatural backbone at the ligation point. A template-free click-ligation reaction has been used for the intramolecular circularization of a single stranded oligonucleotide which was used as a template for the synthesis of a covalently closed DNA catenane.

We present a strategy for self-assembly of the smallest yet reported DNA nanostructures that are also addressable in terms of their DNA-base code. Using linear as well as novel branched threeway DNA oligonucleotide building-blocks we demonstrate the formation of a nano-network's fundamental cell, a DNA pseudo-hexagon of side 4 nm. The network's inherent addressability will allow functionalization with sub-nanometer precision yielding unprecedented richness in information density, important in context of Moore's Law and nano-chip technology.

Here, we present the formation of a fully addressable DNA nanostructure that shows the potential to be exploited as, for example, an information storage device based on pH-driven triplex strand formation or nanoscale circuits based on electron transfer. The nanostructure is composed of two adjacent hexagonal unit cells (analogous to naphthalene) in which each of the eleven edges has a unique double-stranded DNA sequence, constructed using novel three-way oligonucleotides. This allows each ten base-pair side, just 3.4 nm in length, to be assigned a specific address according to its sequence. Such constructs are therefore an ideal precursor to a nonrepetitive two-dimensional grid on which the "addresses" are located at a precise and known position. Triplex recognition of these addresses could function as a simple yet efficient means of information storage and retrieval. Future applications that may be envisaged include nanoscale circuits as well as subnanometer precision in nanoparticle templating. Characterization of these precursor nanostructures and their reversible targeting by triplex strand formation is shown here using gel electrophoresis, atomic force microscopy, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements. The durability of the system to repeated cycling of pH switching is also confirmed by the FRET studies.

In this work we examine the trapping and conversion of visible light energy into chemical energy using a supramolecular assembly. The assembly consists of a light-absorbing antenna and a porphyrin redox centre which are covalently attached to two complementary 14-mer DNA strands, hybridized to form a double helix and anchored to a lipid membrane. The excitation energy is finally trapped in the lipid phase of the membrane as a benzoquinone radical anion that could potentially be used in subsequent chemical reactions. In addition, in this model complex the hydrophobic porphyrin moiety acts as an anchor into the liposome positioning the DNA construct on the lipid membrane surface. The results show the suitability of our system as a prototype for DNA based light-harvesting devices, in which energy transfer from the aqueous phase to the interior of the lipid membrane is followed by charge separation.

In the present study, we use the fluorescent DNA base analog tC°to investigate the thermal stability of a small DNA hexagon and the thermodynamic factors that govern the formation of such a structure. The DNA molecule is becoming increasingly popular as a material for bottom-up construction of nanostructures; however, relatively little attention has been given to the thermodynamics of such biomacromolecule-based constructs.With the goal of increasing information density and structural complexity, the size of the nanoarchitectures decreases and, more importantly, the fine structure is becoming more detailed. In this process the thermal stability and formation of unwanted byproducts will become critical features to consider in the design and assembly of such structures. Using tC°as a fluorescent probe in fluorescence monitored DNA melting allows for individually observing the denaturing of each of the six 10-mer sides in the pseudohexagonal multicomponent system. Experimental results demonstrate that the ring-opening of the cyclized hexamer is virtually exclusive to one side and that the stability of this side is increased as a result of the cyclization. Moreover, a theoretical model describing the formation and melting of the nanostructure is presented. The results show that the cyclized structure is thermodynamically favored over linear polymeric structures under the conditions and concentrations used for the self-assembly.

Gently brought into line: Functionalized carbon nanotubes (see picture, C,H black, N blue) facilitate a high degree of orientation in a weak magnetic field ${{{ \vec H}}}$, as detected by linear dichroism spectroscopy (incident planes of light A⊥ and A∥). In addition, relaxation measurements in the magnetic field allow the length of the nanotubes to be determined.

No abstract

In this work the trapping and conversion of visible light energy into chemical energy is examined using a supramolecular assembly. This consists of a light absorbing antenna and a porphyrin redox centre both covalently attached to a DNA strand, which in turn is bound to a lipid membrane. The excitation energy is finally trapped as a benzoquinone radical anion that could potentially be used in subsequent chemical reactions.