From molecular to macroscopic via the rational design of a self-assembled 3D DNA crystal

Although we live in a macroscopic three-dimensional (3D) world, our best description of the structure of matter is at the atomic and molecular scale. Reconciling these two scales with atomic precision requires high spatial control of the 3D structure of matter, with the simplest practical route to achieving this being to form a crystalline arrangement by self-assembly. Here, the crystal structure of a designed, self-assembled 3D crystal based on the DNA tensegrity triangle is reported.