The role of spacers on the self-assembly of DNA aptamer-amphiphiles into micelles and nanotapes

• DOI: 10.1039/c3cc42311e
• Publication Date: 2013-10-29T10:30:23Z
• Authors: Timothy R. Pearce; Brett Waybrant; Efrosini Kokkoli
• Keywords: Models, Molecular; Surface-Active Agents; Base Sequence; DNA, Single-Stranded; 02 engineering and technology; Aptamers, Nucleotide; 0210 nano-technology; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Micelles

The self-assembly of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) aptamer-amphiphiles was influenced by the choice of spacer used to link the hydrophobic tail and aptamer headgroup. Aptamer-amphiphiles without spacers or with hydrophilic spacers formed globular micelles while amphiphiles with hydrophobic spacers formed bilayer nanotapes, which are the first such structures formed by DNA-amphiphiles.