Nucleic acid nanotechnology—towards Ångström-scale engineering

Abstract

Nucleic acids and analogues are suitable building blocks for reliable self-assembly of nanometer-sized two- or three-dimensional materials. In order to mimic or approach nature with respect to size and function, Ångström-scale chemical engineering is emerging as pivotal for future developments. Efforts within nucleic acid nanotechnology will be focussed on generating rigid and stable low nanometer-sized structures carrying functionalities with predictable spatial positioning allowing, by encoded self-assembly, functional nucleic acid architectures to be built towards applications within the biological and material sciences.