A DNA Superstructure-based Replicator without Product Inhibition

A monomer structure based on a hairpin loop is described that can be linked via short oligonucleotide sequences (linkers) to form polymers. Independence of linked monomers allow for exponential complexity of the polymer structure. A method is described wherein the polymer structure can be replicated semi-conservatively with fidelity, given a source of monomer structures and linkers. Furthermore, the separation of the product from the parent allows for exponential amplification. These steps are achieved by secondary structure constraints and toehold-mediated strand displacement, and occur in the absence of enzymes. The parallel polymerization allows for replication to be achieved in O(log N) time, as opposed to O(N) from a processive process. Key words: DNA based polymers, DNA motors, self-replication

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2006
• Where: NC
• Authors: David Y. Zhang, Bernard Yurke
• Keywords: Monomer Structures, NC 1998, NC 2006, Polymer Structure, Polymers