Switchable DNA Origami Nanostructures and Their Applications

The chapter discusses the dynamic and switchable functions of DNA origami nanostructures, which are introduced in Section 10.1. Section 10.2 addresses reconfigurable DNA machines and nanostructures triggered by DNA fuels, metal ions and other chemical species, as well as physical triggers consisting of temperature, electric and magnetic fields, and light. Section 10.3 considers mobile elements confined to origami scaffolds and their functions. DNA walkers traversing predefined tracks on the origami scaffold and the reversible mechanical opening and closure of origami tiles are presented. In Section 10.4, the dynamically triggered reversible assembly and disassembly of origami tiles using pH, ions, and light as auxiliary triggers are introduced. Section 10.5 of the report introduces three-dimensional DNA origami containments for controlled release. Aptamer-ligand complexes and pH are used as triggers to unlock the carrier and release the contained payloads in a reversible manner. In Section 10.6, origami scaffolds are used as functional constituents to assemble chiroplasmonic nanostructures. The triggered reconfiguration of the origami structures leads to programmable and switchable chiroselective functions. Finally, in Section 10.7, the programmed organization of nanoparticles and proteins on DNA origami tiles and nanostructures is introduced. Precise deposition of the nanoobjects on the origami is presented, and the emergent functions derived from their spatially programmed organization are discussed.