Hierarchical Assembly of Multilayer Core–Shell DNA Origami Crystals

Y Yifan Yu (College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures) H Hang Xu X Xuehui Yan (College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures) L Letian Han (Department of Orthopedic Surgery Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital College of Engineering and Applied Sciences State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures Nanjing University Nanjing China) P Peixin Li (College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures) Y Yong Wang Y Ye Tian

Abstract

ABSTRACT A multilayer core–shell architecture capable of selectively capturing distinct nanomaterials into a predetermined layer is anticipated to facilitate multifunctional isolation or cascade processes at the microscale. However, fabricating single‐crystal architectures featuring numerous shells with intricate distribution patterns remains challenging. In this study, we employed DNA nanotechnology to construct microscale multilayer core–shell DNA origami crystals. The internal layers exhibit tunable properties, including size, quantity, self‐similarity, and morphology. The shell size can be regulated from 700 to 1800 µm 3 , and the layer quantity can be extended to five. We also fabricated eight distinct crystals exhibiting non‐self‐similarity and two types of heteromorphic core–shell crystals. Each layer has operational independence, allowing the customized capture of nanomaterials and implementation of compartmentalized reactions. These multilayer core–shell crystals have potential for serving as compartmentalization templates for functional units, which may provide possibilities for simulating cell work or constructing artificial organelles.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 1, Issue 1
Published July 17, 2026
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (7)

Y

Yifan Yu

College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures

H

Hang Xu

X

Xuehui Yan

College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures

L

Letian Han

Department of Orthopedic Surgery Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital College of Engineering and Applied Sciences State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures Nanjing University Nanjing China

P

Peixin Li

College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures

Y

Yong Wang

Y

Ye Tian