TY  - JOUR
AB  - Biological compartmentalization creates and controls localized environments to ensure that chemical processes are efficient, thus enabling life's complexity and functionality. Biological systems use crystalline protein cages for nanoscale compartments, whereas larger, dynamic structures, such as vesicles and cell membranes, are formed from lipid bilayers. Although membrane-based approaches have prevailed in bottom-up synthetic biology, DNA and protein nanotechnology has focused on designing rigid cage assemblies. Here we report on the self-assembly of radially symmetric DNA origami subunits that are inspired by the structure and interactions of lipids. The formed DNA origami monolayer membranes can be readily programmed to form vesicles or hollow tubes with diameters ranging from 100 nm to over 1 μm. These DNA origami membranes represent an approach for compartmentalization that opens possibilities in bottom-up biology and cell-scale soft robotics.
AU  - Karfusehr, C.*
AU  - Eder, M.*
AU  - Yang, H.Y.*
AU  - Beinsteiner, B.
AU  - Jasnin, M.
AU  - Simmel, F.C.*
C1  - 76162
C2  - 58440
TI  - Self-assembled cell-scale containers made from DNA origami membranes.
JO  - Nat. Mater.
PY  - 2025
SN  - 1476-1122
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Many questions in basic biology and medicine require the ability to visualize the function of specific cells and molecules inside living organisms. In this context, technologies such as ultrasound, optoacoustics and magnetic resonance provide non-invasive imaging access to deep-tissue regions, as used in many laboratories and clinics to visualize anatomy and physiology. In addition, recent work has enabled these technologies to image the location and function of specific cells and molecules inside the body by coupling the physics of sound waves, nuclear spins and light absorption to unique protein-based materials. These materials, which include air-filled gas vesicles, capsid-like nanocompartments, pigment-producing enzymes and transmembrane transporters, enable new forms of biomolecular and cellular contrast. The ability of these protein-based contrast agents to be genetically encoded and produced by cells creates opportunities for unprecedented in vivo studies of cellular function, while their amenability to genetic engineering enables atomic-level design of their physical, chemical and biological properties.
AU  - Farhadi, A.*
AU  - Sigmund, F.
AU  - Westmeyer, G.G.
AU  - Shapiro, M.G.*
C1  - 61188
C2  - 50076
CY  - Heidelberger Platz 3, Berlin, 14197, Germany
SP  - 585–592
TI  - Genetically encodable materials for non-invasive biological imaging.
JO  - Nat. Mater.
VL  - 20
PB  - Nature Research
PY  - 2021
SN  - 1476-1122
ER  - 

TY  - JOUR
AB  - Broad-spectrum antiviral platforms that can decrease or inhibit viral infection would alleviate many threats to global public health. Nonetheless, effective technologies of this kind are still not available. Here, we describe a programmable icosahedral canvas for the self-assembly of icosahedral shells that have viral trapping and antiviral properties. Programmable triangular building blocks constructed from DNA assemble with high yield into various shell objects with user-defined geometries and apertures. We have created shells with molecular masses ranging from 43 to 925 MDa (8 to 180 subunits) and with internal cavity diameters of up to 280 nm. The shell interior can be functionalized with virus-specific moieties in a modular fashion. We demonstrate this virus-trapping concept by engulfing hepatitis B virus core particles and adeno-associated viruses. We demonstrate the inhibition of hepatitis B virus core interactions with surfaces in vitro and the neutralization of infectious adeno-associated viruses exposed to human cells.
AU  - Sigl, C.*
AU  - Willner, E.M.*
AU  - Engelen, W.*
AU  - Kretzmann, J.A.*
AU  - Sachenbacher, K.*
AU  - Liedl, A.*
AU  - Kolbe, F.
AU  - Wilsch, F.
AU  - Aghvami, S.A.*
AU  - Protzer, U.
AU  - Hagan, M.F.*
AU  - Fraden, S.*
AU  - Dietz, H.*
C1  - 62298
C2  - 50605
CY  - Heidelberger Platz 3, Berlin, 14197, Germany
SP  - 1281–1289
TI  - Programmable icosahedral shell system for virus trapping.
JO  - Nat. Mater.
VL  - 20
PB  - Nature Research
PY  - 2021
SN  - 1476-1122
ER  -