Adv Polym Sci (2013) 261: 217–228
DOI: 10.1007/12_2013_243
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
Published online: 20 October 2013
Another Important 60th Anniversary
Nadrian C. Seeman
Abstract The combination of synthetic stably branched DNA and sticky ended
cohesion has led to the development of structural DNA nanotechnology over the
past three decades. Sticky ends on synthetic molecules can be programmed to
interact to self-assemble into a variety of geometrical species. Thus, simple
branched molecules lead directly to the construction of polyhedra whose edges
consist of double helical DNA, and whose vertices correspond to the branch points.
Stiff branched motifs must be used to generate self-assembled two-dimensional and
three-dimensional periodic lattices of DNA (crystals). DNA has also been used to
make a number of nanomechanical devices, including molecules that change their
shape, and molecules that can walk or somersault along a DNA sidewalk. Complex
mechanical arrangements have been constructed, such as a nanoscale assembly line.
Keywords Branched DNA Á Sticky Ends. Information-Directed Self Assembly Á
Structural DNA Nanotechnology
This volume celebrates the 60th anniversary of the award of the Nobel Prize to
Hermann Staudinger in 1953 for his work in establishing the field of polymer
chemistry. However, this is also the 60th anniversary of another landmark in
polymer science, the proposal by Watson and Crick [1] of the iconic double helical
structure for the DNA molecule, arguably the most influential polymer structure
known. We are all aware that DNA is the molecule that nature uses as genetic
material. The information content of DNA is linearly encrypted in the sequence of
N.C. Seeman
Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
e-mail: ned.seeman@nyu.edu
DOI: 10.1007/12_2013_243
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
Published online: 20 October 2013
Another Important 60th Anniversary
Nadrian C. Seeman
Abstract The combination of synthetic stably branched DNA and sticky ended
cohesion has led to the development of structural DNA nanotechnology over the
past three decades. Sticky ends on synthetic molecules can be programmed to
interact to self-assemble into a variety of geometrical species. Thus, simple
branched molecules lead directly to the construction of polyhedra whose edges
consist of double helical DNA, and whose vertices correspond to the branch points.
Stiff branched motifs must be used to generate self-assembled two-dimensional and
three-dimensional periodic lattices of DNA (crystals). DNA has also been used to
make a number of nanomechanical devices, including molecules that change their
shape, and molecules that can walk or somersault along a DNA sidewalk. Complex
mechanical arrangements have been constructed, such as a nanoscale assembly line.
Keywords Branched DNA Á Sticky Ends. Information-Directed Self Assembly Á
Structural DNA Nanotechnology
This volume celebrates the 60th anniversary of the award of the Nobel Prize to
Hermann Staudinger in 1953 for his work in establishing the field of polymer
chemistry. However, this is also the 60th anniversary of another landmark in
polymer science, the proposal by Watson and Crick [1] of the iconic double helical
structure for the DNA molecule, arguably the most influential polymer structure
known. We are all aware that DNA is the molecule that nature uses as genetic
material. The information content of DNA is linearly encrypted in the sequence of
N.C. Seeman
Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
e-mail: ned.seeman@nyu.edu