DNA origami

DNA nanotechnology

Biology

Holliday junction

Aptamer

Oligonucleotide

Drug delivery

Genetics

Homologous recombination

Computational biology

Nanotechnology

Nanostructure

Materials science

Base pair

Advanced Materials

DNA encodes the genetic information; recently, it has also become a key player in material science. Given the specific Watson–Crick base‐pairing interactions between only four types of nucleotides, well‐designed DNA self‐assembly can be programmable and predictable. Stem‐loops, sticky ends, Holliday junctions, DNA tiles, and lattices are typical motifs for forming DNA‐based structures. The oligonucleotides experience thermal annealing in a near‐neutral buffer containing a divalent cation (usually Mg 2+ ) to produce a variety of DNA nanostructures. These structures not only show beautiful landscape, but can also be endowed with multifaceted functionalities. This Review begins with the fundamental characterization and evolutionary trajectory of DNA‐based artificial structures, but concentrates on their biomedical applications. The coverage spans from controlled drug delivery to high therapeutic profile and accurate diagnosis. A variety of DNA‐based materials, including aptamers, hydrogels, origamis, and tetrahe...

Programmable and Multifunctional DNA‐Based Materials for Biomedical Applications