DNA Origami Ring Structures as Construction Element of Self-Thermophoretic Swimmers

This work reports on the construction of mechanically stable DNA origami ring structures that can act as thermophoretic active elements of self-thermophoretic nanoswimmers or as coupling elements either to other thermophoretic active particles or to cargo elements. The DNA origami structures are designed according to given geometric parameters and physical requirements, synthesized, as well as characterized by agarose gel electrophoresis and transmission electron microscopy. The tailored binding of gold nanoparticles is proven by STEM.