Polyhedra Self-Assembled from DNA Tripods and Characterized with 3D DNA-PAINT

Abstract

Engineering Larger DNA Structures Several approaches now exist for the self-assembly of DNA into nanostructures. For example, three-arm DNA tripods can be assembled into larger wireframe polyhedra, but for the most complicated shapes, assembly yields can be low, apparently because the flexibility of smaller tripods allows for misassembly. Iinuma et al. (p. 65 , published online 13 March) now show that larger, stiffer tripods that have controlled arm lengths and interarm angles can be designed to form a wide variety of open wireframe polyhedra—including tetrahedra, cubes, and hexagonal prisms, with edges 100 nanometers in length.