Self-Assembling DNA templates for programmed artificial biomineralization

Abstract

Complex materials with micron-scale dimensions and nanometre-scale feature resolution created via engineered DNA self-assembly represent an important new class of soft matter. These assemblies are increasingly being exploited as templates for the programmed assembly of functional inorganic materials that have not conventionally lent themselves to organization by molecular recognition processes. The current challenge is to apply these bioinspired DNA templates toward the fabrication of composite materials for use in electronics, photonics, and other fields of technology. This highlight focuses on methods we consider most useful for integration of DNA templated structures into functional composite nanomaterials, particularly, organization of preformed nanoparticles and metallization procedures. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011.