Catch and Release: DNA Tweezers that Can Capture, Hold, and Release an Object under Control

• DOI: 10.1021/ja805945r
• Publication Date: 2008-10-14T09:01:18Z
• Authors: Xiaogang Han; Zihao Zhou; Fan Yang; Zhaoxiang Deng
• Keywords: Tweezers; Molecular tweezers

A pair of DNA tweezers are constructed, which capable capturing, holding and releasing a object by playing with the open close actions assisted pH switchings. The is captured between tweezers' arms at 5.0 through Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding can be stably held even when increased to 5.7 after closed. Upon introducing unlocker strand, opened gets released. This capture-hold-release process easily cycled without losing much its efficiency.