Single-molecule photon-fueled DNA nanoscissors for DNA cleavage based on the regulation of substrate binding affinity by azobenzene

A pair of single-molecule photo-responsive DNA nanoscissors for DNA cleavage based on the regulation of substrate binding affinity was designed and fabricated. Compared with other DNA nanomachines, our DNA nanoscissors have the advantages of a clean switching mechanism, as well as robust and highly reversible operation.