Site-directed placement of three-dimensional DNA origami

The combination of lithographic methods with 2D DNA origami self-assembly
has led, among others, to the development of photonic crystal cavity
arrays and the exploration of sensing nanoarrays where molecular devices
are patterned on the sub-micron scale. Here we extend this concept to the
third dimension by mounting 3D DNA origami onto nano-patterned substrates,
followed by silicification to provide mechanical and chemical stability.
We created fully addressable, three-dimensional nanopatterns of hybrid
DNA-silica structures with heights up to 50 nm and feature size in the
sub-10-nm regime. Our versatile and scalable method relying on
self-assembly at ambient temperatures offers the potential to 3D-position
any inorganic and organic components compatible with DNA origami
nanoarchitecture, demonstrated with gold nanoparticles. This way of
nanotexturing could provide a route for the low-cost production of complex
and 3D-patterned surfaces and integrated devices designed on the molecular
level while reaching macroscopic dimensions.