Materialistic Interfaces with Nucleic Acids: Principles and Their Impact

Abstract

AbstractMendelian genetics spark the century‐old revolution in genetic engineering. DNA structural engineering may well spark a similar revolution in chemistry. The first few man‐made DNA structures are purely DNA but increased interest in hybrid DNA with other molecules is regaining popularity. Nucleic acids can interact with non‐nucleic acid‐based materials, showing their materialistic flexibility and potential and the prospect of forming new future materials. This review provides a deep materialistic background based on the interaction of nucleic acids with these non‐nucleic acid‐based materials covering comprehensive topics. The non‐nucleic acid materials are broadly divided into biological materials, for example, small‐biomolecules, peptides, proteins, and lipids, and non‐biological materials consisting of metal ions, chemical molecules, low‐dimensional nanomaterials, and micro‐scale polymers. Of significance, combining the unique properties of nucleic acids with these non‐genetic materials can bring about surprising synergistic characteristics and drive attractive applications in bio‐imaging, chem/bio‐sensing, disease therapies, antimicrobial works, and even information storage.