Attempts to construct artificial systems from biological molecules such as DNA and RNA by self-assembly are compatible with the recent development of synthetic biology. Genetic mechanisms can be used to produce or control artificial structures made from DNA and RNA, and these structures can in turn be used as artificial gene regulatory elements, in vitro as well as in vivo. Artificial biochemic...

The shift in technology away from silicon complementary metal–oxide semiconductors (CMOS) to novel nanoscale technologies requires new design tools. In this paper, we explore one particular nanotechnology: carbon nanotube transistors that are self-assembled into circuits by using DNA. We develop design tools and demonstrate how to use them to develop circuitry based on this nanotechnology. (Som...

The biosynthesis of proteins and other biomolecules is carried out with exquisite selectivity and efficiency, and with all building blocks present at the same time. In the laboratory, however, chemical synthesis is much less refined and is typically controlled by performing reactions with pure reactants, one step at a time and with purification steps in-between. Moreover, the formation of coval...

DNA nanotechnology promises to provide controllable self-assembly on the nanoscale, allowing for the design of static structures, dynamic machines and computational architectures. In this article I review the state-of-the art of DNA nanotechnology, highlighting the need for a more detailed understanding of the key processes, both in terms of theoretical modelling and experimental characterisati...

DNA nanotechnology excels at rationally designing bottom-up structures that can functionally replicate naturally occurring proteins. Here we describe the design and generation of a stable DNA-based nanopore that structurally mimics the amphiphilic nature of protein pores and inserts into bilayers to support a steady transmembrane flow of ions. The pore carries an outer hydrophobic belt comprise...

A t the dawn of the twentieth century, humankind began to make mechanical parts in large quantities, and manufacturers assembled them into early automobiles. The development of the assembly line by Olds and by Ford 1 led to mass production on a scale that allowed the automobile to shift from a boutique product to a consumer good. Today's nano-scientists find themselves in a similar position to ...

DNA nanotechnology is a rapidly developing field that creates nanoscale devices from DNA, which enables novel interfaces with biological material. Their therapeutic use is envisioned and applications in other areas of basic science have already been found. These devices function at physiological conditions and, owing to their molecular scale, are subject to thermal fluctuations during both prep...

DNA molecules have been used to build a variety of nanoscale structures and devices over the past 30 years, and potential applications have begun to emerge. But the development of more advanced structures and applications will require a number of issues to be addressed, the most significant of which are the high cost of DNA and the high error rate of self-assembly. Here we examine the technical...