Programmable Self-Assembly of RNA Nanostructures with >100 Unique Components
Sophisticated biomolecular functions often arise from large, precisely organized architectures, motivating efforts to construct increasingly complex structures through programmed nucleic acid self-assembly. Although RNA offers a richer repertoire of structural motifs and biological functions than DNA, RNA nanostructures constructed to date have remained substantially less complex and less…
Scientists have developed a method to create complex RNA nanostructures using a technique called dsRNA bricks. This innovative approach overcomes the limitations faced when trying to replicate the capabilities of DNA-based systems like DNA origami and DNA bricks. The dsRNA bricks method involves encoding multiple RNA components within a single precursor transcript, which are then released and self-assemble through programmed interactions.
These interactions involve double-stranded regions that provide enhanced stability compared to single-stranded RNA. By utilizing this technique, researchers have successfully constructed intricate two- and three-dimensional RNA structures containing over 100 distinct components. This pioneering work demonstrates the potential for creating sophisticated RNA materials and devices with a level of complexity that rivals DNA-based systems, paving the way for new applications in programmable RNA technology.
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