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DNA origami reagents

Scaffold DNAs, Staple Strand Oligos, and Folding Kits for DNA origami self-assembly

DNA origami are intricate, DNA-based nanostructures that are precisely folded into specific shapes via sequence-programmed self-assembly. These nanostructures can be chemically modified, and they can be used for a variety of applications, such as delivering drug molecules or developing novel biosensors and nanodevices.

As leaders in their respective fields, IDT and tilibit nanosystems (Garching, Germany) have partnered to make DNA origami reagents available through a single portal.

This partnership offers you:

  • Streamlined ordering of DNA origami reagents (Scaffold DNA + Staple Strand Oligos, or Folding Kit + Staple Strand Oligos)
  • Design guidance and support from the DNA origami experts at tilibit nanosystems
  • Access to high quality, IDT-manufactured Staple Strand Oligos that are verified by ESI-mass spectrometry, providing complete reagent confidence

Ordering

To determine the best DNA origami structure for your unique research needs, we recommend that new users contact the tilibit nanosystems DNA origami experts for design assistance prior to ordering Scaffold DNA, Folding Kits, and Staple Strand Oligos.

Staple Strand Oligos

Staple Strand Oligos are ordered as oligo plates.

DNA origami self-assembly requires 2 types of DNA, a scaffold strand and a mixture of staple strands. A scaffold strand is a long piece of single-stranded DNA. Staple strands are single-stranded 30–80 nt DNA oligos that direct the sequence-specific folding of the scaffold strand into the desired configuration.

The single-stranded Scaffold DNAs are produced by tilibit nanosystems and are available in 3 lengths—7249, 7560, and 8064 bases—either individually or as part of a convenient Folding Kit. The tilibit nanosystems Folding Kits contain Scaffold DNA, Folding Reaction Buffer, and an EDTA-free Loading Dye, custom developed to support straight bands in agarose gel electrophoresis. Staple Strand Oligos are synthesized by IDT.

Because DNA origami design is complex, we recommend that new users contact the tilibit nanosystems DNA origami experts for design assistance prior to ordering DNA origami reagents, including the reagents required to build the predesigned structures described below (Table 1).

Predesigned DNA origami

Tilibit nanosystems offers 6 standard DNA origami structures. See Table 1 and www.tilibit.com/collections/prefabricated-structures for details. Contact tilibit nanosystems to determine whether one of these predesigned structures fits your research needs or whether you will need a custom design. Note: To minimize aggregation, all structures are passivated by including poly-T sequences or single-stranded scaffold loops as described in Table 1.

Table 1. Available DNA origami structures. tilibit nanosystems offers these 6 predesigned structures. See www.tilibit.com/collections/prefabricated-structures for more information.

Custom DNA origami

In addition to offering the above 6 predesigned structures, tilibit nanosystems will work with you to develop custom designs for specific research needs. Contact tilibit nanosystems directly for more information on custom designs.

Staple strand oligos are synthesized using IDT specialized, proprietary oligo synthesis platforms and are each verified by ESI-mass spectrometry.

IDT's long-standing reputation as a pioneer and leader in custom oligo manufacturing is largely due to our vertically integrated, proprietary synthesis platforms. Nearly every component of our manufacturing process is designed and developed in-house, including specialized synthesizers that can accommodate the most demanding oligo requests and high-throughput automation systems that ensure the fastest turnaround times possible. We do not rely on third-party manufacturers for any of the machines or chemical reagents used for synthesis, allowing us to easily monitor and refine instruments and reagents with ease. Our ability to control these variables allows us to produce oligos that are unmatched in quality and consistency.

An important measure of quality for any oligo manufacturer is coupling efficiency, because this directly affects the amount of full-length product you receive. IDT manufacturing processes achieve extremely high coupling efficiencies (Figure 1). These have been standardized across our global manufacturing sites (Figure 2) to provide you with the most consistent quality in the industry. No matter where in the world you are conducting your research, an IDT oligo is an IDT oligo. Our commitment to quality and consistency results in an extremely reliable product that will perform the same each time it is used. Because your research requires a steady supply of oligos over time, this reliability provides confidence and consistency in your research.

Figure 1. Higher coupling efficiency leads to more full-length product. The relationship between increasing coupling efficiency and increasing full-length product is shown. DNA oligos from IDT are synthesized on proprietary platforms that deliver a coupling efficiency (99.25%) that exceeds industry standards (98.50%) and thus results in a greater proportion of full-length product.

Figure 2. Consistent, high coupling efficiency maintained at all IDT manufacturing sites. Many variables can lead to reduced oligo quality, including ambient temperature, humidity, and input reagents. We track coupling efficiency at all of our manufacturing sites to ensure consistent quality with change in variables. A 30-day rolling average is shown.

For additional information about IDT DNA oligo production and quality, see Custom DNA Oligos.

Because DNA origami design is complex and benefits from specialized expertise, we recommend that new users contact tilibit nanosystems for design assistance before ordering DNA origami reagents. The tilibit DNA origami experts will help you choose the best DNA origami for your individual research project(s), whether one of their predesigned structures or a custom design.

Web-based software tools are available for investigators interested in performing their own DNA origami design and analysis. DNA origami experts at tilibit nanosystems recommend cadnano for design and CanDo for analysis.

Please note: IDT Scientific Applications Support does not currently support questions regarding DNA origami design, construction, use, or performance. If you have questions, please refer to the FAQs section of this page (below, under Resources), or contact tilibit nanosystems directly.