Aligning Bacteria and Synthetic Biomolecules with Engineered DNA Fibers

DNA nanotechnology enables user-defined structures to be built with unrivalled control. However, the approach is currently restricted across the nanoscale, yet the ability to generate macroscopic DNA structures has enormous potential with applications spanning material, physical and biological science. I have employed DNA nanotechnology [1, 2] and developed a new macromolecular nanoarchitectonic [3] assembly method to produce DNA fibers with customizable properties. The process involves coalescing DNA nanotubes under high salt conditions to yield filament superstructures. Using this strategy, fibers over 100 microns long, with stiffnesses 10 times greater than cytoskeletal actin filaments can be fabricated. The DNA framework enables fibers to be functionalized with advanced synthetic molecules, including, aptamers, origami, nanoparticles and vesicles. In addition, the fibers can act as bacterial extracellular scaffolds and align E.coli cells in a controllable fashion. The results showcase the opportunities offered from DNA nanotechnology across the macroscopic scale. The new biophysical approach should find widespread use, from the generation of hybrid-fabric materials, platforms to study cell-cell interactions, to smart analytical and purification devices in biomedicine.