Programming dynamic pathways to colloidal self-assembly using DNA nanotechnology

DNA is not just the stuff of our genetic code; it is also a means to build new materials. For instance, grafting DNA onto small particles can, in principle, 'program' the particles with information that tells them exactly how to put themselves together--they 'self-assemble.' Recent advances in our understanding of how this information is compiled into specific interparticle forces have enabled the assembly of crystalline phases. However, programmable assembly of other user-prescribed structures, such as aperiodic solids, liquids, or other mesophases remains elusive. Furthermore, the dynamic pathways by which DNA-based materials self-assemble are largely unknown. In this talk, I will present experiments showing that: (1) combining DNA-grafted particles with free DNA oligomers dispersed in solution can create suspensions with new types of assembly pathways; and (2) we can quantify the dynamic pathways to self-assembly, such as nucleation and growth, using a combination of microfluidics, video microscopy, and image analysis. Whenever possible, I will describe attempts to understand and model our observations using simple physical arguments. In the future, this work could prove especially useful in nanomaterials research, where a central goal is to manufacture functional materials by growing them directly from solution.