Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to core-shell nanoparticles, compositions comprising core-shell nanoparticles, and methods of their use.

Abstract: A method of site-selective growth of a nanocrystal from an anisotropic seed can include immersing an anisotropic seed functionalized with a ligand in a growth solution having a nanocrystal precursor, a complexing agent, and a reducing agent to form a growth solution, wherein an amount of the reducing agent and/or any amount of the complexing agent is selected to define a supersaturation of the growth solution that is sufficient for overcoming an energy barrier of one or more selected regions of the functionalized seed to selectively growth the nanocrystal at the one or more selected regions.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) comprising a nanoparticle core and an oligonucleotide shell attached to the external surface of the nanoparticle core, wherein the oligonucleotide shell comprises a mixture of class A CpG oligonucleotides and class B CpG oligonucleotides. The disclosure also provides methods of using the SNAs for, e.g., regulation of an immune response and gene regulation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to multicomponent assemblies (e.g., crystalline structures) using oligonucleotide dendrimers and spherical nucleic acids (SNAs). The disclosure also provides methods of forming the multicomponent assemblies.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus comprising a dewetting material and a polymerization liquid that are immiscible and dewetting, and can be used for the formation of three-dimensional objects, wherein the method does not require a dead zone. Additionally, methods and apparatus that employ the use of a flowing dewetting material to provide a shearing interface to reduce interfacial adhesive forces.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), nanostructures with a core surrounded by a radial presentation of oligonucleotides, that can activate a cytoplasmic DNA sensor including but not limited to cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS). In some embodiments, the SNAs also inactivate a transcription factor including but not limited to signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STATS). Methods of making and using the SNAs are also provided herein. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a spherical nucleic acid (SNA) comprising (a) a nanoparticle core; and (b) a shell of oligonucleotides attached to the external surface of the nanoparticle core, the shell of oligonucleotides comprising a double-stranded or single-stranded stem loop DNA oligonucleotide that activates cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and is at least 15 base pairs in length.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to immunostimulatory protein-core spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) comprising a protein core and a ratio of immunostimulatory and non-immunostimulatory strands, methods of making the immunostimulatory protein-core SNAs as well as their use.

Abstract: Liposomes termed as small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs), can be synthesized in the 20-50 nm size range, but encounter challenges such as instability and aggregation leading to inter-particle fusion. This limits their use as a therapeutic delivery agent. Increasing the surface negative charge of SUVs, via the attachment of anionic entities such as DNA/RNA, increases the colloidal stability of these vesicles. Additionally, the dense spherical arrangement and radial orientation of nucleic acids exhibits unique chemical and biological properties, unlike their linear counterparts. These liposomal particles, are non-toxic and though anionic, can efficiently enter cells without the aid of ancillary cationic transfection agents in a non-immunogenic fashion. These exceptional properties allow their use as delivery agents for gene regulation in different therapies and offer an alternative platform to metal core spherical nucleic acids.

Abstract: A method of forming a bioactive pattern on a substrate can include contacting a substrate comprising a prepolymer ink coated thereon with abeam pen lithography pen array. The prepolymer ink can include a photoinitiator, an acrylate, and a thiol-modified or acrylate-modified functional binding molecule. The method can further include irradiating the beam pen lithography pen array to transmit the radiation through the pens and out the exposed tip to controllably irradiate the prepolymer ink to initiate selectively photopolymerization of the prepolymer ink and form a pattern of thiol-functionalized cross-linked polymer printed indicia on the substrate; and exposing the pattern of the thiol-functionalized cross-linked polymer printed indicia in a biomolecule containing solution under conditions sufficient to bind the biomolecule to the thiol-functionalized cross-linked polymer printed indicia to form the bioactive pattern.

Abstract: Spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) are an attractive platform for therapeutic delivery due to their chemically tunable structures, biocompatibility, and ability to rapidly enter cells without transfection reagents. The present disclosure provides SNAs and strategies for delivering gene editing proteins into cells. The delivered gene editing proteins remain enzymatically active and rapidly enter mammalian cells.

Abstract: To treat disease, DNA and RNA therapeutics need to be delivered to target tissues and provide lasting benefit without side effects. Lipid nanoparticle spherical nucleic acids address this unmet need by using DNA and RNA sequences for nanoparticle targeting and tissue specificity. The lipid SNA structure has markedly different biodistribution properties than both lipid particles (loaded with nucleic acid) or even conventional SNAs (liposome and gold core).

Abstract: The disclosure is generally related to spherical nucleic acids (SNAs), nanostructures with a core surrounded by a radial presentation of oligonucleotides, that can target multiple classes of immune cells. Methods of making and using the nanoparticles are also provided herein. In some aspects, the disclosure provides a spherical nucleic acid (SNA) comprising: (a) a nanoparticle core; (b) a shell of oligonucleotides attached to the external surface of the nanoparticle core, the shell of oligonucleotides comprising one or more immunostimulatory oligonucleotides; and (c) a first antigen that is a major histocompatibility complex type I (MHC-I) antigen, and a second antigen that is a major histocompatibility complex type II (MHC-II) antigen.

Abstract: Hybrid organic-inorganic metal perovskites are utilized to generate optical switches that can be laser written in an ultra-fast and low-energy process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are trimetallic PtAu-based nanocatalysts for electrochemical hydrogen production and screening methods thereof. Nanocatalysts are produced through a polymer pen lithography (PPL) technique, which enables large-scale fabrication of nanoparticle arrays with programmable specifications such as size, shape, and composition, providing a route to the high-throughput screening and discovery of new catalysts.

Abstract: Methods for forming a sequence encoded oligomer includes oligomerizing first and second antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates through hybridization using at least one template oligo nucleotide. The first antibody-oligonucleotide conjugate comprises an oligonucleotide strand comprising a first sequence and a second sequence joined by an alkyne. The second antibody-oligonucleotide conjugate comprises an oligonucleotide strand comprising a third sequence and a fourth sequence joined by an alkyne.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a general strategy based on CRISPR and oligonucleotide-detectable marker conjugates that allows sensitive detection of nucleic acid and non-nucleic acid target analytes without stringent temperature requirements. In various aspects, this strategy can be used for rapid and routine detection of viral and bacterial infections, screening of diseases with known biomarkers, and tracking the progression of diseases or response to therapy over time.

Abstract: Methods of stabilizing DNA-engineered crystals can include cross-linking the hybridized oligonucleotides. Stabilized crystals can have improved chemical and thermal stability.

Abstract: Liposomes termed as small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs), can be synthesized in the 20-50 nm size range, but encounter challenges such as instability and aggregation leading to inter-particle fusion. This limits their use as a therapeutic delivery agent. Increasing the surface negative charge of SUVs, via the attachment of anionic entities such as DNA/RNA, increases the colloidal stability of these vesicles. Additionally, the dense spherical arrangement and radial orientation of nucleic acids exhibits unique chemical and biological properties, unlike their linear counterparts. These liposomal particles, are non-toxic and though anionic, can efficiently enter cells without the aid of ancillary cationic transfection agents in a non-immunogenic fashion. These exceptional properties allow their use as delivery agents for gene regulation in different therapies and offer an alternative platform to metal core spherical nucleic acids.

Abstract: A method of making colloidal crystals using seed programmable atom equivalents (PAEs) and growth programmable atom equivalents (PAEs) for at least two stage growth. The seed and growth PAEs each include nanoparticles functionalized with oligonucleotides with sticky ends. Seed PAEs have sticky ends adapted to hybridize to each other to form a first duplex, and growth PAEs have sticky ends adapted to hybridize to a respective ones of the seed PAEs and to each other to form second, third, and fourth duplexes. Using base mismatches in the sticky ends of the growth PAEs and a two stage cooling, the first duplex having a higher melting temperature than the other duplexes nucleate the seed PAEs as seeds in a first stage and remaining duplexes form in a second lower temperature stage for growth on the seeds.

Abstract: Articles, compositions, kits, and methods relating to nanostructures, including synthetic nanostructures, are provided. Certain embodiments described herein include structures having a core-shell type arrangement; for instance, a nanostructure core may be surrounded by a shell including a material, such as a lipid bilayer, and may include other components such as oligonucleotides. In some embodiments, the structures, when introduced into a subject, can be used to deliver nucleic acids and/or can regulate gene expression. Accordingly, the structures described herein may be used to diagnose, prevent, treat or manage certain diseases or bodily conditions. In some cases, the structures are both a therapeutic agent and a diagnostic agent.