Synthesis and self-assembly of DNA–chromophore hybrid amphiphiles

Abstract

DNA based spherical nanostructures are one of the promising nanostructures for several biomedical and biotechnological applications due to their excellent biocompatibility and DNA-directed surface addressability. Herein, we report the synthesis and amphiphilicity-driven self-assembly of two classes of DNA (hydrophilic)–chromophore (hydrophobic) hybrid amphiphiles into spherical nanostructures. A solid-phase “click” chemistry based modular approach is demonstrated for the synthesis of DNA–chromophore amphiphiles. Various spectroscopic and microscopic analyses reveal the self-assembly of the amphiphiles into vesicular and micellar assemblies with the corona made of hydrophilic DNA and the hydrophobic chromophoric unit as the core of the spherical nanostructures.