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.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods comprising spherical nucleic acid (SNA) components for use as immunotherapeutic agents. The disclosure provides a method comprising: treating a population of antigen presenting cells with a SNA comprising a nanoparticle, an antigen, and an adjuvant; and determining a time at which the population of antigen presenting cells presents a maximal signal that is indicative of antigen presentation by the antigen presenting cells and a time at which the population of antigen presenting cells presents a maximal co-stimulatory signal due to the adjuvant. The disclosure includes compositions that comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a SNA of the disclosure, wherein the SNA comprises a nanoparticle, an oligonucleotide on the surface of the nanoparticle, and an antigen that is associated with the surface of the SNA via a linker. The disclosure additionally includes articles of manufacture and kits.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) comprising a nanoparticle core and an oligonucleotide dendron attached thereto. The disclosure also provides methods of using the SNAs for, for example, gene regulation and immune regulation.

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: A method of forming a nanoparticle can include admixing an aqueous solution into an oil-phase to thereby form an emulsion of droplets of the aqueous solution in the oil phase, the aqueous solution comprising a nanostructure precursor and a polymer, adding a silane precursor and catalyst to form a silica shell around each of the droplets to nanoreactors; annealing at a first temperature below the decomposition temperature of the polymer to aggregate the nanostructure precursor within the nanoreactor; and annealing at a second temperature above the decomposition temperature of the polymer to convert the aggregated nanostructure precursor to the nanostructure and decompose the polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a massively parallel patterning tool for the deposition of single metals or metal alloys with size and composition control. Methods of the disclosure use a hydrogel array of pyramidal pen tips as a medium for localized electrodeposition, in conjunction with a scanning probe lithography platform and a three-electrode cell. This versatile technique can be used for high-throughput 3D printing, biomolecule patterning, or screening of catalyst nanoparticles or thin films.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to metal-organic framework nanoparticles containing terminal phosphate-modified oligonucleotides, methods for making the same, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of preparing tetrahexahedra nanoparticles and methods of using the tetrahexahedra nanoparticles as an oxidative catalyst.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally related to nanoparticles have an oxidized tumor cell lysate encapsulated therein and oligonucleotides on the surface thereof. Methods of making and using the nanoparticles are also provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for delivering an oligonucleotide-functionalized nanoparticle.

Abstract: A post-synthetic method for stabilizing colloidal crystals programmed from nucleic acid is disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method relies on Ag+ ions to stabilize the particle-connecting nucleic acid duplexes within the crystal lattice, essentially transforming them from loosely bound structures to ones with very strong interparticle links. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid is DNA. Such crystals do not dissociate as a function of temperature like normal DNA or DNA-interconnected colloidal crystals, and they can be moved from water to organic media or the solid state, and stay intact. The Ag+-stabilization of the nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) bonds is accompanied by a nondestructive contraction of the lattice, and both the stabilization and contraction are reversible with the chemical extraction of the Ag+ ions, e.g., by AgCl precipitation with NaCl.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) comprising a nanoparticle core and an oligonucleotide, use of the SNAs to, e.g., detect target analytes, and methods of making the SNAs. In various embodiments, the target analyte is detected using the nanoparticle core, the oligonucleotide, or both. In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide comprises a detectable marker situated at an internal location within the oligonucleotide. In some aspects, the disclosure provides methods for detecting a target analyte comprising the step of contacting the target analyte with a spherical nucleic acid (SNA) and an agent, the SNA comprising a protein core and an oligonucleotide attached thereto, wherein the contacting of the protein core with the target analyte results in a change in the target analyte that is detectable by the agent, thereby detecting the target analyte.

Abstract: A method of preparing a metal nanoparticle can include depositing an ink on a substrate using nanolithography to form a polymer reactor, wherein the ink comprises at least one metalloporphyrin functionalized polymer comprising a metal ion, porphyrin, and a polyethylene oxide polymer; and thermally annealing the polymer nanoreactor under conditions sufficient to form the nanoparticle. The thermal annealing can include a first stage that includes annealing the polymer nanoreactor at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 350° C. for a time sufficient to aggregate the metal ions in the polymer reactor, and a second stage that includes annealing the aggregated polymer nanoreactor at a temperature of about 500° C. to about 600° C. for a time sufficient to reduce the metal ion and decompose a polymer component of the polymer nanoreactor to thereby form the metal nanoparticle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are method and design rules for making polyelemental systems with specific heterostructures, including tetra-phase nanopartides with as many as six junctions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus comprising a dewetting phase and a polymerization liquid that are immiscible, 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 an optically transparent cooling apparatus to mitigate heat generated during the fabrication process, and the use of a mobile phase to provide a shearing interface to reduce interfacial adhesive forces.

Abstract: A method of forming a halide perovskite nanocrystal array having a plurality of halide perovskite nanocrystals arranged in a pattern can include coating an array of pens with a first ink comprising at least one first perovskite precursor having the formula AX and at least one second perovskite precursor having the formula BX?2 dissolved in a solvent. A is a cation, B is a metal, and X and X? are each a halogen. The method further includes contacting a substrate with the coated pen array to thereby deposit the first ink indias a pattern of printed indicia on the substrate. The printed indicia form nanoreactors on the substrate and a halide perovskite nanocrystal nucleates and grows within each nanoreactor to form the halide perovskite nanocrystal array.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for forming one or more nanoparticles. The methods include depositing a solution comprising a block copolymer and a metal salt into one or more square pyramidal nanoholes formed in a substrate, and annealing the substrate to provide a single nanoparticle in each of the one or more square pyramidal nanoholes.