Self-assembly of DNA-organic hybrid amphiphiles by frame-guided assembly strategies

Abstract

It has been reported that DNA-Organic hybrid amphiphiles in aqueous solution could self-assemble into various morphologies including micelles, fibers and vesicles, where the hydrophobic parts intend to aggregate to avoid touching with water and the hydrophilic DNA are exposed at the shell. The regulation of their self-assembling morphologies and sizes usually needs to change the molecular inner structure, or assembling conditions and methods. Hence, it is a huge challenging to obtain aggregate with single variable of morphology or size. Inspired by the diversity of cell membrane morphologies in living organisms, a novel Frame-Guided Assembly (FGA) strategy is firstly proposed. The amphiphiles are guided to assemble along the leading hydrophobic groups (LHGs) anchored on the frame and finally form morphologies with certain shape and uniform size in accordance with the predesigned frame. It has been successfully applied to direct self-assembly behaviors of amphiphiles, including DNA and Dendron hybrids, DNA and Polymer hybrids and small molecules lipids. This strategy breaks the limits of traditional assembly method, and makes it possible to prepare aggregates with programmed geometry and size, and lays foundation for the application in the life science and potentially solves the issues of nano assemblies and cellular uptake mechanism.