Figure 6
From: Calculation of π and Classification of Self-avoiding Lattices via DNA Configuration
Experimental observation of self-avoiding random lattice growth with the three-point star DNA motif. (a) A schematic of a three-point star DNA motif (3PSHL) for construction of a honeycomb lattice and its representative AFM image (scan size of 500 × 500 nm2) of a honeycomb lattice. Seven strands constituting 3PSHL are numbered as #1~#7, where palindromic self-complementary sticky-end sequences located at the end of each arm are indicated as S1, S2, and S3. A simplified 3PSHL and a magnified honeycomb lattice (100 × 100 nm2) are shown at the right bottom corners of them. (b) A schematic of a three-point star DNA motif with a single blunt end (3PSHR) for fabrication of a hexagonal ring and its AFM image. Six strands (strand #7 removed from 3PSHL) and two sets (S1 and S2) of palindromic self-complementary sticky-end sequences are required. A black dot in simplified 3PSHR indicates a blunt end arm. Inset in AFM image is 3-dimensional visualization of a hexagonal ring. (c) A schematic of a three-point star DNA motif with double blunt ends (3PSD) for formation of a 3PS dimer and its AFM image. Five strands (#6 and #7 removed from 3PSHL) and single set (S1) of palindromic self-complementary sticky-end sequences is required. Inset in AFM image is 3-dimensional visualization of 3PS dimers. (d) A schematic of a three-point star DNA motif with a blunt end (3PSB) for demonstration of a self-avoiding random lattice. Strand #6 is removed from 3PSHL and self-complementary sticky-end sequences in #7 are modified. A blunt-end in a simplified 3PSB is marked with a black (served as a seed), a red (grown to the left), or a green dot (grown to the right) in order to easily analyze the lattice configurations. (e–q) Representative AFM images of self-avoiding random lattices comprised of 3PSB. Either an open, a half-blocked or a full-blocked lattice configuration at a given step number is indicated in each image. In order to clarify the growth visualization of lattice configurations, simplified 3PSB are overlaid on AFM images. (r) A plot of percentage of total number of 3PSB motifs (α) in that specific range, i.e. below 10, 11–20, 21–30, and above 30. (s) A bar graph of percentages of the total number of open, half-blocked, and a full-blocked lattice configurations (β).
