DNAmics · DNA mimetics: Synthetic molecular duplexes

DNA mimetics: Synthetic molecular duplexes

One of the main unanswered challenges of modern science is how to control macroscopic properties of known materials at molecular level. In order to achieve this task it is of crucial importance to know how molecules assemble and form aggregates, that is to understand how molecules interact. Despite significant scientific advances in last decades precision and predictability of assembly of non-natural building blocks is significantly lagging behind natural systems. Nature uses sequences of monomers (peptides, nucleic acids) to guide and control assembly. In other words, nature uses information in form of sequence of connected building blocks to program the assembly, and consequently arranges non living material into biological systems. Moreover, DNA base pairing was chosen as nature's way of storing, copying and reading genetic information and driving the evolution. Only recently DNA is used to program the assembly outside the cell, and to form functional and novel materials. However, despite attractiveness and availability,the DNA is perfected to work in an aqueous environment, and as such it is difficult to make it work in non water soluble media, which is majority of materials. Hence, using nature's strategy, and bottom up preparation of non-natural sequences of recognition sites should combine the best of both worlds. Hence, information molecules consisting of sequences of hydrogen bond donor and acceptor sites were prepared. To test reliability and fidelity of recognition of complementary strands, binding was quantitatively determined by using nuclear magnetic resonance or thermal methods. Overall objective of designing and preparation of artificial sequences of recognition sites, capable of recognition of complementary sequences is fulfilled, which is essential for further use and application of such a molecules. Prepared sequences can be easily used with know polymers to form new materials with unprecedented mechanical, electronic or photochemical properties. Formation of self-healable thermoplastic elastomers, size controllable nanoparticles for drug delivery, or materials with controllable microphase separations for electronic devices can be envisaged. Above mentioned, are all materials that will are expected to be the basis for the future, and prospherity of knowledge based society.

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