Issue 9, 2016

Theory and simulation of DNA-coated colloids: a guide for rational design

Abstract

By exploiting the exquisite selectivity of DNA hybridization, DNA-coated colloids (DNACCs) can be made to self-assemble in a wide variety of structures. The beauty of this system stems largely from its exceptional versatility and from the fact that a proper choice of the grafted DNA sequences yields fine control over the colloidal interactions. Theory and simulations have an important role to play in the optimal design of self assembling DNACCs. At present, the powerful model-based design tools are not widely used, because the theoretical literature is fragmented and the connection between different theories is often not evident. In this Perspective, we aim to discuss the similarities and differences between the different models that have been described in the literature, their underlying assumptions, their strengths and their weaknesses. Using the tools described in the present Review, it should be possible to move towards a more rational design of novel self-assembling structures of DNACCs and, more generally, of systems where ligand–receptor are used to control interactions.

Graphical abstract: Theory and simulation of DNA-coated colloids: a guide for rational design

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
14 十一月 2015
Accepted
11 一月 2016
First published
14 一月 2016
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2016,18, 6373-6393

Theory and simulation of DNA-coated colloids: a guide for rational design

S. Angioletti-Uberti, B. M. Mognetti and D. Frenkel, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2016, 18, 6373 DOI: 10.1039/C5CP06981E

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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