DNA Lattices for the Study of Biological Processes

描述(由申请人提供)：该项目将涉及DNA单体构建块的制备，该构建块包含连接四个或六个DNA序列的金属配体中心枢纽。这些单体通过互补杂交自组装产生超分子DNA纳米级或介观级晶格。晶格从根本上不同于DNA树状大分子或其他DNA组件，因为每个单体构建块都附着在一个以上定义位置的生长的超分子结构上。晶格组装的结果是DNA序列的规则阵列，类似于宏观晶体。四面体(钻石)和八面体(立方体)晶格都将通过与佐治亚理工学院的Loren Williams教授合作的x射线衍射方法进行表征。表面束缚晶格将为研究各种结合事件提供机会。单层或多层晶格可以通过末端的硫醇残基结合到金表面上。与波士顿大学的Rosina Georgiadis教授合作，我们将能够研究单层形成的速度和程度，以及配体或蛋白质结合到表面结合晶格的速度和程度。通过杂交适当的偶联物，将有可能创建结合的生物制品以及非生物制品的表面阵列，如荧光团、纳米颗粒和量子点。晶格的金属中心可以看作是由于晶格的DNA臂的存在而规则地间隔的功能位置。为了研究这种金属阵列的性质，我们将制备基于多个天线的光收集阵列来捕获光子，然后监测能量传递到中心卟啉或Ru中心的过程。我们将与波士顿学院的托尔斯滕·菲比格教授合作，对这些过程的中间体、寿命和效率进行表征。最后，规则的孔结构应允许隔离或定时释放大量药物或其他药剂。我们将对孔结构进行表征，并确定这些材料对选定的大分子或纳米颗粒的渗透性。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This project will involve the preparation of DNA monomer building blocks that contain metal-ligand central hubs tethering either four or six DNA sequences. Self-assembly of these monomers by complementary hybridization generates supramolecular DNA nanoscale or mesoscale lattices. Lattices differ fundamentally from DNA dendrimers or other DNA assemblies since each monomer building block attaches to the growing supramolecular structure at more than one defined site. The result of lattice assembly is a regular array of DNA sequences, similar to a macroscopic crystal. Both tetrahedral (diamond) and octahedral (cubic) lattices will be characterized by x-ray diffraction methods in collaboration with Prof. Loren Williams (Georgia Tech). Surface-bound lattices will provide the opportunity to study a variety of binding events. Monolayers or multiple layers of the lattice can be generated bound to a gold surface through terminal thiol residues. In collaboration with Prof. Rosina Georgiadis (Boston University), we will be able to study the rates and extents of monolayer formation, as well as the rates and extents of ligand or protein binding to the surface-bound lattices. Through hybridization of appropriate conjugates, it will be possible to create surface arrays of bound biologicals as well as non-biologicals such as fluorophores, nanoparticles and quantum dots. The metal centers of the lattices can be viewed as functional sites that are spaced regularly by the presence of the DNA arms of the lattice. To study the properties of such metal arrays we will prepare light harvesting arrays based upon multiple antennae to capture photons and then monitor the energy transfer process to a central porphyrin or ruthenium center. In collaboration with Prof. Torsten Fiebig (Boston College) we will characterize the intermediates, lifetimes and efficiencies of these processes. Finally, the regular pore structure should permit the sequestering or the timed release of macroscale Pharmaceuticals or other agents. We will characterize the pore structure and determine how porous these materials are to selected macromolecules or nanoparticles