Reconfigurable Multi-Component Assemblies Built from DNA Origami Voxels

DNA origami is a robust nanofabrication method that enables the biomimetic self-assembly of diverse nanostructures with nanoscale addressability and reconfiguration. Hierarchical assembly of DNA origami components into larger assemblies offers a pathway to create larger or more complex structures. However, challenges remain in achieving structural diversity, rigidity, and programmable reconfiguration. Here we present a universal and robust DNA origami building block to support 2D and 3D hierarchical assembly that combines rigid DNA barrel monomers with rigid connections. The building block is modular and contains 14 directional binding interfaces in 3D, each with multiple DNA strands that can hybridise with connector strands to create rigid connections within hierarchical assemblies.<br/><br/>We demonstrate the use of DNA barrel monomers as modular voxels to build diverse multi-component assemblies with intricate custom features and addressable components for potential materials patterning. DNA strand displacement reactions are used to switch connections between flexible and rigid states, enabling rapid and reversible shape transformations of assemblies with high yield. Additionally, we explore strategies to improve the yield of hierarchical assembly of DNA origami. Inspired by protein assembly, we investigate multi-step folding pathways. Initially, we assemble individual DNA origami building blocks into a flexible linear chain of linked DNA origami. We then fold these chains into more compact structures in several steps, resulting in improved yields for certain pathways. We envision that DNA origami chains could be integrated with scalable assembly methods to build new materials with rapid and high-yield reconfiguration.