DNA Framework-Encoded Mineralization of Calcium Phosphate

Nature has evolved unique strategies to generate delicate biominerals at various length scales with genetically encoded protein scaffolds. Nevertheless, the ability to design programmable biomimetic mineralized nanostructures remains limited. Here, we report that self-assembled DNA frameworks can encode the nanoscale mineralization of calcium phosphate (CaP) with precision and versatility. We establish that the size and shape of DNA-CaP nanostructures are programmed by the structural information encoded within DNA sequences and the electrostatic interactions between DNA phosphate backbone and mineral counterparts. The generality of this strategy is verified by using two- and three-dimensional DNA framework ranging from ∼10 to ∼100 nm. We further find that CaP mineralization-solidified DNA framework functions as a sustainable nanoagent for live-cell delivery of drugs. These findings open a new avenue for nanoscale mineralization with unprecedented sophisticated architectures for versatile applications.