Using simple rules of binding in nucleic acids, assistant professor Yossi Weizmann and his lab showed that a single strand of DNA could be fashioned into a variety of precisely designed knots and links of nanoscale dimensions in their recent paper, “Creating complex molecular topologies by configuring DNA four-way junctions,” the cover story of the October 2016 issue of Nature Chemistry. In addition to elegantly addressing a topological challenge with mathematical, technical, and aesthetic aspects, Weizmann and his lab showed that knotted DNA could potentially be used to rapidly screen chemicals for anti-topoisomerase activity, possibly allowing for the accelerated pursuit of anticancer and antibacterial drugs.
Yossi Weizmann Fashions Knots from Single-Stranded DNA
January 9, 2017