DNA motors on
With the relentless rise of DNA nanotechnology's popularity, Emma Davies explores the role chemistry has played in its success
There is an increasing number of chemists who have turned to DNA nanotechnology. Some pin their hopes on using DNA in nanoelectronics or for drug delivery, while others are excited about its potential as an analytical tool. Single strands of DNA bind (hybridise) to each other when the bases cytosine and guanine (C-G) and adenine and thymine (A-T) couple through hydrogen bonds and a good geometric fit. The fact that a single strand of DNA will only bind to another with the correct base sequence gives researchers incredible structure control. Meanwhile, fully automated DNA synthesisers mean that DNA sequences are easy to construct.