Figure 1. Potential integration of DNA nanotechnology with synthetic biology.

As discussed in the text, artificial “production” genes may be used to produce nanostructures, whereas “control genes” may be used to decide or control, when or which nanostructure is produced or operated (cf. Fig. 3). Synthetic control networks may be produced with RNA regulators alone (see Fig. 2), and nucleic acid nanodevices may feed back on the control circuits. The circuit diagram may be implemented either in vitro or in vivo.