The role of spacers on the self-assembly of DNA aptamer-amphiphiles into micelles and nanotapes†
Abstract
The self-assembly of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) aptamer-amphiphiles was influenced by the choice of spacer used to link the hydrophobic tail and aptamer headgroup. Aptamer-amphiphiles without spacers or with hydrophilic spacers formed globular micelles while amphiphiles with hydrophobic spacers formed bilayer nanotapes, which are the first such structures formed by DNA-amphiphiles.