Generation of 2D DNA Microstructures via Topographic Control and Shearing

Abstract 2D DNA microstructures are fabricated by applying the shear force to the DNA solution on the microchannels. The “U”‐like textures of DNA are clearly observed when the mechanical shearing is applied on the aqueous DNA sample under the topographic confinement, in which the shearing direction is perpendicular to the grooves. The optical textures of U‐like microstructures are directly observed by polarized optical microscopy (POM) and laser scanning fluorescent confocal polarizing microscopy (FCPM). The DNA microstructures can be modified by varying the width, showing the multiple U‐patterns along with channel direction due to the synergistic interaction between the elastic behavior of DNA chains and topographic boundary condition. The resultant microstructures can be used to align rod‐like liquid crystals (LCs) to generate alternatively oriented nematic phase and tilted focal conic domains (FCDs) in the smectic A phase. It is believed that this approach can suggest a hint to use to DNA materials for organizing multiscale hierarchical structures of soft‐ and biomaterials.