A team of researchers recently developed a new process that created intricate structures by crystallizing DNA.

DNA has long been known for its potential to be a programmable material platform. By fabricating it with other metal materials, the new development could lead to scalable production of nanodevices in fields such as computer science, biology and microscopy.

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Researchers from Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard have been trying to design large DNA crystals for two decades. In 2012, the team designed 100 biological virus-sized structures by developing their own "DNA Brick Self-Assembly" technique.

Using the same method, researchers produced 32 DNA crystals with prescribed depths and exact structural properties. The new crystal structures are likely to have a size close to a speck of dust, but are a thousand times larger than what was previously built.

The DNA brick technique uses short strands of DNA to build complex structures that function like interlocking Lego bricks. A computer simulation of a molecular cube, which serves as a master canvass, is then used to design the nanostructure.

Each brick is independently added or removed from the master canvass to obtain the desired shape. During the process, the mixed DNA strands self-assemble themselves.

The distinguishing feature of the DNA brick technique is the modularity in its design strategy. The technique has the ability to simply add or remove pieces from the molecular cube, which makes it easy to virtually create any design.

The modularity also makes it relatively simple to define the depth of each DNA crystal. It's the first time researchers have been able to form crystal depth with nanometer precision. 

The DNA crystals have garnered attention for nanotechnology applications due to its repeating structural units that provide the ideal template for adaptable design features, according to the researchers.

"What have been mere visions of how the DNA molecule could be used to advance everything from the semiconductor industry to biophysics are fast becoming realities," said Don Ingber, the Founding Director of Wyss Institute. 

TagsDNA structures, nanotechnology, Harvard University, Wyss Institute