Abstract: Methods for controlled segregation of blocks of information encoded in the sequence of a biopolymer, such as nucleic acids and polypeptides, with rapid retrieval based on multiply addressing nanostructured data have been developed. In some embodiments, sequence controlled polymer memory objects include data-encoded biopolymers of any length or form encapsulated by natural or synthetic polymers and including one or more address tags. The sequence address labels are used to associate or select memory objects for sequencing read-out, enabling organization and access of distinct memory objects or subsets of memory objects using Boolean logic. In some embodiments, a memory object is a single-stranded nucleic acid scaffold strand encoding bit stream information that is folded into a nucleic acid nanostructure of arbitrary geometry, including one or more sequence address labels. Methods for controlled degradation of biopolymer-encoded blocks of information in the memory objects are also developed.

Abstract: Methods for the automated template-free synthesis of user-defined sequence controlled biopolymers using microfluidic devices are described. The methods facilitate simultaneous synthesis of up to thousands of uniquely addressed biopolymers from the controlled movement and combination of regents as fluid droplets using microfluidic and EWOD-based systems. In some forms, biopolymers including nucleic acids, peptides, carbohydrates, and lipids are synthesized from step-wise assembly of building blocks based on a user-defined sequence of droplet movements. In some forms, the methods synthesize uniquely addressed nucleic acids of up to 1,000 nucleotides in length. Methods for adding, removing and changing barcodes on biopolymers are also provided. Biopolymers synthesized according to the methods, and libraries and databases thereof are also described. Modified biopolymers, including chemically modified nucleotides and biopolymers conjugated to other molecules are described.

Abstract: Methods for the automated template-free synthesis of user-defined sequence controlled biopolymers using microfluidic devices are described. The methods facilitate simultaneous synthesis of up to thousands of uniquely addressed biopolymers from the controlled movement and combination of regents as fluid droplets using microfluidic and EWOD-based systems. In some forms, biopolymers including nucleic acids, peptides, carbohydrates, and lipids are synthesized from step-wise assembly of building blocks based on a user-defined sequence of droplet movements. In some forms, the methods synthesize uniquely addressed nucleic acids of up to 1,000 nucleotides in length. Methods for adding, removing and changing barcodes on biopolymers are also provided. Biopolymers synthesized according to the methods, and libraries and databases thereof are also described. Modified biopolymers, including chemically modified nucleotides and biopolymers conjugated to other molecules are described.

Abstract: Compositions containing a nucleic acid nanostructure having a desired geometric shape and immunostimulatory agent(s) bound to its surface are provided. The nanostructures can be, for example, in the form of a 6-helix bundle, or icosahedron, or a pentagonal bipyramid. The nanostructure design allows for control of the relative position and/or stoichiometry of the immunostimulatory agent(s) bound to its surface. The immunostimulatory agent(s) displayed on the nanostructure surface are arranged with the preferred number, spacing, and 3D organization to elicit a robust immune response. The displayed antigen can be a TLR agonist, such as a TLR9 agonist. The immunostimulatory compositions may thus be useful as immunogens, vaccines, adjuvants, and the like. Methods of inducing immune responses, and for targeted induction of TLR activation are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for designing scaffolded RNA nanostructures of desired shape are described. In some forms, the methods design nucleic acid “staple” sequences that hybridize to a user-defined RNA scaffold and fold it into the desired shape based on A-form helical nucleic acid geometry. In some forms, the methods implement asymmetry in nucleotide positions across two helices of an edge to account for A-form nucleic acid geometry. In preferred forms, crossover asymmetry is implemented in the staples. In other forms, crossover asymmetry is implemented in the RNA scaffold. In other forms, the methods do not introduce crossover asymmetry. Scaffolded RNA nanostructures produced according to the methods including messenger RNAs, replicating RNAs, functional RNAs and other RNA species within the scaffold, staples, or both scaffold and staples are provided. Modified nanostructures including chemically modified nucleotides are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid-chromophores and nucleic acid assembly containing the nucleic acid-chromophores. The nucleic acid-chromophore contains a nucleic acid strand and two or more adjacent chromophores. The two or more adjacent chromophores can be covalently incorporated in the backbone of the nucleic acid strand. One or more photophysical properties of the adjacent chromophores can be altered by a change in the nucleic acid assembly. In some forms, the nucleic acid assembly can contain a nucleic acid scaffold. In these forms, the change in the nucleic acid assembly can be a change in the length of a nucleic acid hybrid in the nucleic acid scaffold that is opposite the adjacent chromophores. Typically, the nucleic acid hybrid does not contain any chromophore. The nucleic acid-chromophores can serve as molecular fluorophores with emission properties that are highly sensitive to local geometry and the chemical environment.

Abstract: Methods for controlled segregation of blocks of information encoded in the sequence of a biopolymer, such as nucleic acids and polypeptides, with rapid retrieval based on multiply addressing nanostructured data have been developed. In some embodiments, sequence controlled polymer memory objects include data-encoded biopolymers of any length or form encapsulated by natural or synthetic polymers and including one or more address tags. The sequence address labels are used to associate or select memory objects for sequencing read-out, enabling organization and access of distinct memory objects or subsets of memory objects using Boolean logic. In some embodiments, a memory object is a single-stranded nucleic acid scaffold strand encoding bit stream information that is folded into a nucleic acid nanostructure of arbitrary geometry, including one or more sequence address labels. Methods for controlled degradation of biopolymer-encoded blocks of information in the memory objects are also developed.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods relating to sequence-controlled storage objected. The disclosed sequence-controlled storage objects can include (a) one or more different sequence-controlled polymers, and (b) a plurality of different feature tags. The sequence-controlled storage object can include (a) one or more different sequence-controlled polymers, and (b) a plurality of different digit tags. Also disclosed are methods of storing desired sequence-controlled polymers as a sequence-controlled storage object, comprising assembling a sequence-controlled storage object from (i) one or more different sequence-controlled polymers, (ii) a plurality of different feature tags, and (iii) optionally one or more encapsulating agents. Also disclosed are methods of automating the assembly of a sequence-controlled storage object comprising using a device with flow.

Abstract: Methods for the top-down design of nucleic acid nanostructures of arbitrary geometry based on target shape of spherical or non-spherical topology are described. The methods facilitate 3D molecular programming of lipids, proteins, sugars, and RNAs based on a DNA scaffold of arbitrary 2D or 3D shape. Geometric objects are rendered as node-edge networks of parallel nucleic acid duplexes, and a nucleic acid scaffold routed throughout the network using a spanning tree formula. Nucleic acid nanostructures produced according to top-down design methods are also described. In some embodiments, the nanostructures include single-stranded nucleic acid scaffold, DX crossovers, and staple strands. In other embodiments, the nanostructures include single-stranded nucleic acid scaffold, PX crossovers and no staples. Modified nanostructures include chemically modified nucleotides and conjugated to other molecules are described.

Abstract: Methods for controlled segregation of blocks of information encoded in the sequence of a biopolymer, such as nucleic acids and polypeptides, with rapid retrieval based on multiply addressing nanostructured data have been developed. In some embodiments, sequence controlled polymer memory objects include data-encoded biopolymers of any length or form encapsulated by natural or synthetic polymers and including one or more address tags. The sequence address labels are used to associate or select memory objects for sequencing read-out, enabling organization and access of distinct memory objects or subsets of memory objects using Boolean logic. In some embodiments, a memory object is a single-stranded nucleic acid scaffold strand encoding bit stream information that is folded into a nucleic acid nanostructure of arbitrary geometry, including one or more sequence address labels. Methods for controlled degradation of biopolymer-encoded blocks of information in the memory objects are also developed.

Abstract: Compositions containing a nucleic acid nanostructure having a desired geometric shape and antigens bound to its surface are provided. The nanostructures can be, for example, in the form of a 6-helix bundle or icosahedron. The nanostructure design allows for control of the relative position and/or stoichiometry of the antigen bound to its surface. The antigens displayed on the nanostructure surface are arranged with the preferred number, spacing, and 3D organization to elicit a robust immune response. The displayed antigen can be an HIV immunogen such as eOD-GT6, eOD-GT8, or variants thereof. The compositions may thus be useful as immunogens, vaccines, immunostimulators, adjuvants, and the like. Methods of inducing immune responses, inducing protective immunity, inducing the production of neutralizing antibodies or inhibitory antibodies, inducing tolerance, and treating cancer, infectious or autoimmune diseases are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for the top-down design of nucleic acid nanostructures of arbitrary geometry based on target shape of spherical or non-spherical topology are described. The methods facilitate 3D molecular programming of lipids, proteins, sugars, and RNAs based on a DNA scaffold of arbitrary 2D or 3D shape. Geometric objects are rendered as node-edge networks of parallel nucleic acid duplexes, and a nucleic acid scaffold routed throughout the network using a spanning tree formula. Nucleic acid nanostructures produced according to top-down design methods are also described. In some embodiments, the nanostructures include single-stranded nucleic acid scaffold, DX crossovers, and staple strands. In other embodiments, the nanostructures include single-stranded nucleic acid scaffold, PX crossovers and no staples. Modified nanostructures include chemically modified nucleotides and conjugated to other molecules are described.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods involving nucleic acid assemblies that enclose and/or protect cargo. Disclosed are compositions that include a nucleic acid assembly comprising one or more nucleic acid molecules and cargo comprising two or more cargo molecules. The nucleic acid assembly can have physiochemical properties that: (i) enhance targeting of the composition to one or more types of cells, tissues, organs, or microenvironments relative to other types of cells, tissues, organs, or microenvironments in vivo; (ii) enhance stability and/or half-life of the composition in vivo; and/or (iii) reduce immunogenicity of the composition. The nucleic acid assembly and/or cargo can have features that enhance intracellular trafficking of nucleic acid assembly and/or its cargo. The cargo can be enclosed and/or protected by the nucleic acid assembly. Some or all of the cargo molecules in the composition can be present in a defined stoichiometric ratio.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for bacterial production of pure single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) composed of custom sequence and size have been developed. The methods enable scalability and bio-orthogonality in applications of scaffolded DNA origami, offering one-step purification of large quantities of pure ssDNA amendable for immediate folding of DNA nanoparticles. The methods produce pure ssDNA directly from bacteria. In some embodiments the E. coli helper strain M13cp combined with a phagemid carrying only an f1-origin allows for, without the need for additional purification from contaminating dsDNA. This system is useful for generalized circular ssDNA synthesis, and here is applied to the assembly of DNA nanoparticles folded both in vitro and direct from phage.

Abstract: Methods for controlled segregation of blocks of information encoded in the sequence of a biopolymer, such as nucleic acids and polypeptides, with rapid retrieval based on multiply addressing nanostructured data have been developed. In some embodiments, sequence controlled polymer memory objects include data-encoded biopolymers of any length or form encapsulated by natural or synthetic polymers and including one or more address tags. The sequence address labels are used to associate or select memory objects for sequencing read-out, enabling organization and access of distinct memory objects or subsets of memory objects using Boolean logic. In some embodiments, a memory object is a single-stranded nucleic acid scaffold strand encoding bit stream information that is folded into a nucleic acid nanostructure of arbitrary geometry, including one or more sequence address labels. Methods for controlled degradation of biopolymer-encoded blocks of information in the memory objects are also developed.

Abstract: Compositions containing a nucleic acid nanostructure having a desired geometric shape and antigens bound to its surface are provided. The nanostructures can be, for example, in the form of a 6-helix bundle or icosahedron. The nanostructure design allows for control of the relative position and/or stoichiometry of the antigen bound to its surface. The antigens displayed on the nanostructure surface are arranged with the preferred number, spacing, and 3D organization to elicit a robust immune response. The displayed antigen can be an HIV immunogen such as eOD-GT6, eOD-GT8, or variants thereof. The compositions may thus be useful as immunogens, vaccines, immunostimulators, adjuvants, and the like. Methods of inducing immune responses, inducing protective immunity, inducing the production of neutralizing antibodies or inhibitory antibodies, inducing tolerance, and treating cancer, infectious or autoimmune diseases are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for the top-down design of nucleic acid nanostructures of arbitrary geometry based on target shape of spherical or non-spherical topology are described. The methods facilitate 3D molecular programming of lipids, proteins, sugars, and RNAs based on a DNA scaffold of arbitrary 2D or 3D shape. Geometric objects are rendered as node-edge networks of parallel nucleic acid duplexes, and a nucleic acid scaffold routed throughout the network using a spanning tree formula. Nucleic acid nanostructures produced according to top-down design methods are also described. In some embodiments, the nanostructures include single-stranded nucleic acid scaffold, DX crossovers, and staple strands. In other embodiments, the nanostructures include single-stranded nucleic acid scaffold, PX crossovers and no staples. Modified nanostructures include chemically modified nucleotides and conjugated to other molecules are described.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for bacterial production of pure single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) composed of custom sequence and size have been developed. The methods enable scalability and bio-orthogonality in applications of scaffolded DNA origami, offering one-step purification of large quantities of pure ssDNA amendable for immediate folding of DNA nanoparticles. The methods produce pure ssDNA directly from bacteria. In some embodiments the E. coli helper strain M13cp combined with a phagemid carrying only an f1 -origin allows for, without the need for additional purification from contaminating dsDNA. This system is useful for generalized circular ssDNA synthesis, and here is applied to the assembly of DNA nanoparticles folded both in vitro and direct from phage.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling nucleic acid structures include determining, for each junction type, values for parameters indicating ground-state geometry and both translational and rotational stiffness coefficients. Topological design data indicates a number of bases in each helix connected to corresponding junctions. Initial positions of each base are determined by connecting helices to junctions using the ground-state geometry and arbitrary coordinates not confined to lattice coordinates. Misalignment vectors each indicate a difference in coordinates and orientations between initial positions of a pair of bases that are not adjacent in the initial positions but are adjacent or coincident in the design data. Forces and moments at the junctions to reduce misalignment magnitudes are determined based on the translational and rotational stiffness coefficients at each junction.

Abstract: Methods for the automated template-free synthesis of user-defined sequence controlled biopolymers using microfluidic devices are described. The methods facilitate simultaneous synthesis of up to thousands of uniquely addressed biopolymers from the controlled movement and combination of regents as fluid droplets using microfluidic and EWOD-based systems. In some forms, biopolymers including nucleic acids, peptides, carbohydrates, and lipids are synthesized from step-wise assembly of building blocks based on a user-defined sequence of droplet movements. In some forms, the methods synthesize uniquely addressed nucleic acids of up to 1,000 nucleotides in length. Methods for adding, removing and changing barcodes on biopolymers are also provided. Biopolymers synthesized according to the methods, and libraries and databases thereof are also described. Modified biopolymers, including chemically modified nucleotides and biopolymers conjugated to other molecules are described.