A large size-selective DNA nanopore with sensing applications.

Transmembrane nanostructures like ion channels and transporters perform key biological functions by controlling flow of molecules across lipid bilayers. Much work has gone into engineering artificial nanopores and applications in selective gating of molecules, label-free detection/sensing of biomolecules and DNA sequencing have shown promise. Here, we use DNA origami to create a synthetic 9 nm wide DNA nanopore, controlled by programmable, lipidated flaps and equipped with a size-selective gating system for the translocation of macromolecules. Successful assembly and insertion of the nanopore into lipid bilayers are validated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), while selective translocation of cargo and the pore mechanosensitivity are studied using optical methods, including single-molecule, total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy. Size-specific cargo translocation and oligonucleotide-triggered opening of the pore are demonstrated showing that the DNA nanopore can function as a real-time detection system for external signals, offering potential for a variety of highly parallelized sensing applications.

Quantification of cellular uptake of DNA nanostructures by qPCR.

DNA nanostructures facilitating drug delivery are likely soon to be realized. In the past few decades programmed self-assembly of DNA building blocks have successfully been employed to construct sophisticated nanoscale objects. By conjugating functionalities to DNA, other molecules such as peptides, proteins and polymers can be precisely positioned on DNA nanostructures. This exceptional ability to produce modular nanoscale devices with tunable and controlled behavior has initiated an interest in employing DNA nanostructures for drug delivery. However, to obtain this the relationship between cellular interactions and structural and functional features of the DNA delivery device must be thoroughly investigated. Here, we present a rapid and robust method for the precise quantification of the component materials of DNA origami structures capable of entering cells in vitro. The quantification is performed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, allowing a linear dynamic range of detection of five orders of magnitude. We demonstrate the use of this method for high-throughput screening, which could prove efficient to identify key features of DNA nanostructures enabling cell penetration. The method described here is suitable for quantification of in vitro uptake studies but should easily be extended to quantify DNA nanostructures in blood or tissue samples.

Enzymatic ligation of large biomolecules to DNA.

The ability to synthesize, characterize, and manipulate DNA forms the foundation of a range of advanced disciplines including genomics, molecular biology, and biomolecular engineering. In particular for the latter field, DNA has proven useful as a structural or functional component in nanoscale self-assembled structures, antisense therapeutics, microarray diagnostics, and biosensors. Such applications frequently require DNA to be modified and conjugated to other macromolecules, including proteins, polymers, or fatty acids, in order to equip the system with properties required for a particular application. However, conjugation of DNA to large molecular components using classical chemistries often suffers from suboptimal yields. Here, we report the use of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) for direct enzymatic ligation of native DNA to nucleotide triphosphates coupled to proteins and other large macromolecules. We demonstrate facile synthesis routes for a range of NTP-activated macromolecules and subsequent ligation to the 3' hydroxyl group of oligodeoxynucleotides using TdT. The reaction is highly specific and proceeds rapidly and essentially to completion at micromolar concentrations. As a proof of principle, parallelly labeled oligonucleotides were used to produce nanopatterned DNA origami structures, demonstrating rapid and versatile incorporation of non-DNA components into DNA nanoarchitectures.