Ion interactions with DNA origami templates.

Scaffolded DNA nanostructures are emerging in scientific as well as technological applications. In the past, they have been primary used in the in singulo experiments, but nowadays other applications such as targeted drug delivery are common. Recently, DNA origami nanoscaffolds were also suggested as particle tracking detectors with nanometer resolution and high sensitivity. In many of these applications, the scaffolds undergo interaction with high energy radiation. In our recent work, we demonstrated high stability of scaffolded DNA origami upon irradiation with gamma rays and protons in the MeV range. There remains an open question which shall be addressed in the present proposal: What is the stability of the scaffold DNA under different types of radiation, particularly swift heavy ions? Primary particle, secondary electron or OH radical damage to DNA is apparently not efficient in scaffolded structures. On the other side, the “2D” structure of the scaffold and DNA nature make it extremely sensitive to mechanical and thermal stress. Such stress can be induced by swift heavy ions passing through matter. Scaffold DNA nanostructures can therefore be ideal “nano probes” for detecting the shock waves predicted to occur in the vicinity of the ion track.