3D organization of nanoparticles enabled by DNA prescribed voxels

A team of researchers led by Oleg Gang of Columbia University has demonstrated how DNA can be used to organize quantum dots, enzymes, and other nanoscale objects into three-dimensional (3D) arrays. Previous efforts to do this have been limited by the need to design custom scaffolds for each object. In an article published in Nature Materials, Gang and his co-workers describe a new approach that overcomes this challenge, positioning DNA as a universal scaffolding with significant potential in nanoscale engineering.

DNA voxels

Assembly of a binary system of octahedral frames with one frame empty and another one hosting a gold nanoparticle. Credit: Nature Materials

Read the full write-up on MRS Bulletin.

Read the abstract in Nature Materials.