DNA Nanotechnology and its Biological Applications
This chapter presents an overview of the emerging research area of DNA nanostructures and biomolecular devices. We discuss work involving the use of synthetic DNA to self-assemble DNA nanostructure devices. Recently, there have been a series of quite astonishing experimental results that have taken thetechnology from a state of intriguing possibilities into demonstrated capabilities of quickly increasing scale. We particularly emphasize molecular devices that are programmable and autonomous. By programmable, we mean the tasks executed can be modified without entirely redesigning the nanostructure. By autonomous, we mean that the steps are executed with no exterior mediation after starting. We discuss such programmablemolecular-scale devices that achieve various capabilities, including computation, 2D patterning, amplified sensing, and molecular transport. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
