Two-layer stacked multi-arm junction tiles and nanostructures assembled with small circular DNA molecules serving as scaffolds

Abstract

One-layer multi-arm junction (mAJ) motifs have been investigated extensively for many kinds of planar 2D (two-dimension) lattices, surface-curved 3D (three-dimension) polyhedra, and complex 3D wireframe and tensegrity structures. Herein, we report the weaving strategy to achieve two-layer stacked multi-arm junction tiles (abbreviated as mAJ²) of 3AJ² and 4AJ², and several primary tessellation nanostructures of nanocages and 2D rhombus lattices carrying beautifully embossed 4-point stars. Challenges for perfect tessellation are also raised regarding the increase of motif complexity from 2D to 3D.