Recent Advances of DNA Tetrahedra for Therapeutic Delivery and Biosensing

The chemical and self-assembly properties of nucleic acids make them ideal for the construction of discrete structures and stimuli-responsive devices for a diverse array of applications. Amongst the various three-dimensional assemblies, DNA tetrahedra are of particular interest, as these structures have been shown to be readily taken up by the cell, by the process of caveolin-mediated endocytosis, without the need for transfection agents. Moreover, these structures can be readily modified with a diverse range of pendant groups to confer greater functionality. This minireview highlights recent advances related to applications of this interesting DNA structure including the delivery of therapeutic agents ranging from small molecules to oligonucleotides in addition to its use for sensing and imaging various species within the cell.

DNA architectonics: towards the next generation of bio-inspired materials

The use of DNA in nanobiotechnology has advanced to a stage at which almost any two or three dimensional architecture can be designed with high precision. The choice of the DNA sequences is essential for successful self-assembly, and opens new ways of making nanosized monomolecular assemblies with predictable structure and size. The inclusion of designer nucleoside analogues further adds functionality with addressable groups, which have an influence on the function of the DNA nano-objects. This article highlights the recent achievements in this emerging field and gives an outlook on future perspectives and applications.