Construction of DNA Polyhedra and Knots Through Symmetry Minimization

The goals of supramolecular chemistry include structural control on the nanometer scale comparable to that enjoyed by craft workers on the macroscopic scale.1 The ability to join, couple or weave two molecules together to produce a structure with the same certainty enjoyed by a carpenter, a plumber or a garment worker, would increase greatly the efficiency of materials scientists, chemists, and molecular biologists. Chemists have learned that it is not as simple to create structures from molecules as it is from macroscopic objects: They must rely on intrinsic propensities of precursors, because there are no nails, screws, or threads available to form bonds between atoms. Furthermore, the laws of physics do not permit all conceivable separations of atomic nuclei. In contrast, the components in biological systems often self-assemble spontaneously, by using complementary surfaces to form cohesive structures.