Light-induced damage to DNA origami nanostructures in the 193 nm–310 nm range

Abstract

DNA origami nanostructures provide precisely addressable substrates for in singulo experiments as well as for applications in nanotechnology. We report on experiments evaluating the stability of DNA origami upon irradiation with light at different wavelengths and buffer solutions. DNA is irradiated with nanosecond pulsed lasers and the damage is evaluated using UV–Vis spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy imaging. We show that the wavelength dependence of the damage follows the UV absorption spectrum of DNA. Electronic excitation of DNA is primarily responsible for DNA origami damage at present wavelengths. We also demonstrate UV–Vis absorption of tris reaction products, influencing the UV–Vis absorption evaluation in experiments studying DNA damage.