Columbia Technology Ventures

3D nanomaterial assemblies using DNA frameworks

This technology is a DNA framework that hosts nanomaterials where the assembly’s structure is based purely on the DNA frame shape for applications including optical materials and enzymatic arrays.

Unmet Need: Self-assembly method that decouples particle properties from assembly structure

Nanomaterials self-assemble based on their shape and intermolecular interactions. Achieving specific assembled structures for a given molecule is difficult because of the coupling between the particles’ and the resulting assembly’s properties. DNA can be used to guide nanomaterial assembly, but particle properties and assembly structure remain coupled.

The Technology: Nanomaterial assembly through DNA-prescribed, valence-controlled material voxels

This technology is a DNA framework that hosts nanomaterials where the assembly’s structure is based purely on the DNA frame shape. The frames are only capable of vertex-to-vertex hybridization, which determines the valence of the framework. The sites the nanomaterials can occupy are dictated by the nature of the framework and determines how the nanomaterials assemble. This technology decouples the lattice assembly from the materials properties of the nanomaterials. Nanomaterials assembled using this method outperform traditional nanomaterial assemblies for a number of applications including optical materials and enzymatic arrays.

Applications:

  • Light-emitting 3D arrays
  • 3D enzymatic arrays
  • Metamaterials
  • Information storage devices

Advantages:

  • Nanomaterial properties are decoupled from the lattice assembly
  • Hosts nanomaterials in DNA origami frames, which allows for access to different lattice symmetries
  • Vertex-to-vertex hybridization results in a spatially-determined valence defined by the frame’s shape
  • Outperforms traditional nanomaterial assemblies in applications like enzyme catalysis reactions

Lead Inventor:

Oleg Gang, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

Related Publications:

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