About this Research Topic

Background

DNA is a nanoscale molecule, and therefore nanotechnology is required to study its properties in detail. In turn, the properties of the DNA molecule are the basis for its use in nanodevices. Possible applications of DNA nanotechnology in the real world, the potential of synthetic DNA nanostructures for personalized drugs and therapeutic agents are of interest in the framework of scientific research in the field of nanomaterials. The ability of nucleic acid arrays to order other molecules indicates their promising application in molecular-scale electronics. The creation of metamaterials and metasurfaces based on helical elements is also of considerable interest. When designing metamaterials and metasurfaces, both smooth and planar spirals, as well as other bianisotropic elements, can be used as meta-atoms. The actual and independent direction of research is the process of DNA replication, including its mechanical features. However, the electromagnetic forces acting in the process of DNA replication remain outside the scope of scientific discussion. The effects of various external factors are also possible, leading to a change in the state of DNA and even its damage. Over the past few years, studies of various states of the DNA molecule have intensified: super-twisted, relaxed and linear. The study of possible mechanisms of DNA molecule transitions between these different states, including under the action of electrons or intense IR radiation, continues.

This research topic will be devoted to the study of the physical properties of the DNA molecule as the basis of nanodevices and nanotechnology. It will consider a wide range of applications of DNA molecules and DNA-like helices in nanotechnology, including the creation of metamaterials and metasurfaces. Not only double DNA-like helices, but also single-stranded helices with different numbers of turns, as well as planar helices have proved their promise as elements of metamaterials and metasurfaces. Such spiral elements, playing the role of meta-atoms, can provide control of electromagnetic waves in pre-designed metamaterials with the required properties. In addition, within the framework of the topic, the definition of electromagnetic parameters and conditions leading to possible violations of the natural process of DNA replication at any stage will be considered. The collection of articles will identify some damaging factors that are potentially dangerous to DNA, leading to unnatural, pathological changes in DNA. Also of interest is the possible determination of the causes and conditions of early cancer at the DNA level.

We welcome Original Research Articles, Reviews, Mini Reviews on the following topics (but not limited to):

• Experimental studies of the DNA electrical conductivity at various sections and the construction of the equivalent electrical circuit for the double helix of the DNA molecule
• Design and manufacture of artificial nucleic acid structures for technological uses (DNA nanotechnology).
• The nanoscale folding of DNA to create arbitrary two- and three-dimensional shapes at the nanoscale (DNA origami)
• Synthesizing and characterizing nucleic acid complexes and materials where the assembly has a static, equilibrium endpoint (Structural DNA nanotechnology)
• Forming nucleic acid systems with designed dynamic functionalities related to their overall structures, such as computation and mechanical motion (Dynamic DNA nanotechnology)
• Conducting nanostructures based on metallized DNA as future electronic components
• Creation of helical-structured metamaterials and metasurfaces in order to control electromagnetic waves
• Smooth and planar spirals, as well as other bianisotropic elements as meta-atoms for metamaterials and metasurfaces
• Consideration of possible mechanisms of the DNA molecule transitions between its different states (supercoiled, relaxed and linear), considering the action of electrons or intense IR radiation

Keywords: Nanotechnology, Helical Structure, Metamaterials, Metasurfaces, Electromagnetics, DNA Damage, DNA Molecule Transition, DNA Replication

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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