Figure 1.

Using DNA to reversibly control the structural characteristics of supramolecular polymer assemblies. (a)  Structure and schematic representation of a DNA-modified heptapyrene monomer with the sequences of the grafted, separator, and connector oligonucleotides. (b) DNA-modified heptapyrene monomers are assembled into DNA-grafted ribbons in water. Hybridization of the oligonucleotide on the heptapyrene with a complementary handle (1b) results in the formation of fibrous networks driven by the blunt-end stacking of the grafted DNA helices. This process is reversible via disruption of the hybridized oligonucleotides, either by thermal denaturation or by addition of an excess of a separator strand (1a). Adapted and reproduced with permission from ref (25). (c) Schematic representation of the assembly pathways of pyrene monomers functionalized with complementary oligonucleotides (Py-a and Py-b). The monomers separately assemble into supramolecular polymers which form networks upon mixing due to hybridization of the complementary grafted oligonucleotides. Thermal disruption of these networks or mixing of the different monomers leads to the formation of mixed polymers which do not form networks. Adapted and reproduced with permission from ref (26).