Information relay and cascaded transformation are essential in biology and engineering. Imitation of such complex behaviors via synthetic molecular self-assembly at the nanoscale remains challenging. Here we describe the use of structural DNA nanotechnology to realize prescribed, multistep, long-range information relay and cascaded transformation in rationally designed molecular arrays. The engineered arrays provide a controlled platform for studying complex dynamic behaviors of molecular arrays and have a range of potential applications, such as with reconfigurable metamaterials. A reconfigurable array consists of a prescribed number of interconnected dynamic DNA antijunctions. Each antijunction unit consists of four DNA domains of equal length with four dynamic nicking points, which are capable of switching between two stable conformations through an intermediate open conformation. By interconnecting the small DNA antijunctions, one can build custom two-dimensional (2D) molecular 'domino' arrays with arbitrary shapes. More important, the DNA molecular arrays are capable of undergoing programmed, multistep, long-range transformation driven by information relay between neighboring antijunction units. The information relay is initiated by the trigger strands under high temperature or formamide concentration. The array's dynamic behavior can be regulated by external factors such as its shape and size, points of transformation initiation, and/or any engineered information propagation pathways. This protocol provides detailed strategies for designing DNA molecular arrays, as well as procedures for sample production, purification, reconfiguration, and imaging by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The procedure can be completed in 4-7 d.

中文翻译：

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可重构二维DNA分子阵列的设计和操作。

信息中继和级联转换在生物学和工程学中至关重要。通过合成分子自组装在纳米尺度上模仿这种复杂的行为仍然具有挑战性。在这里，我们描述了结构DNA纳米技术在合理设计的分子阵列中实现规定的，多步，远程信息中继和级联转化的用途。工程阵列为研究分子阵列的复杂动力学行为提供了一个可控制的平台，并具有一系列潜在的应用，例如可重配置的超材料。可重构阵列由规定数量的相互连接的动态DNA反连接组成。每个反连接单元均由四个等长的DNA结构域组成，具有四个动态切刻点，它们能够通过中间的开放构象在两个稳定构象之间切换。通过互连小的DNA反结，可以构建具有任意形状的定制二维（2D）分子“多米诺”阵列。更重要的是，DNA分子阵列能够进行编程的，多步的，远距离的转化，该转化是由相邻的反结单元之间的信息中继驱动的。信息中继由触发链在高温或甲酰胺浓度下启动。阵列的动态行为可以通过外部因素（例如其形状和大小，转换起始点和/或任何工程信息传播途径）进行调节。该协议提供了设计DNA分子阵列的详细策略，以及通过原子力显微镜（AFM）和透射电子显微镜（TEM）进行样品生产，纯化，重新​​配置和成像的程序。该过程可以在4-7天内完成。