Self-Assembly through Toehold-Mediated Four-Way Branch Migration

Self-assembly is a fundamental mechanism in the formation of complex and functional biological systems, and the ability of information-carrying DNA species to confer specific two- and three-dimensional shapes is a testament to the programmability and versatility of nucleic acids. This precise control of structure at the nanoscale could have profound implications for DNA probing and small molecule drug delivery. Here, we explore the possibility of utilizing toehold-mediated four-way branch migration to sequentially assemble complex structures, ranging from simple k-arm junctions to more intricate closed shapes.