This Special Issue aims to capture advances in DNA nanotechnology spanning design, function, and applications in nanofabrication, diagnostics, therapeutics, and beyond. Submit your manuscript by February 28, 2027.
DNA nanotechnology has transformed nucleic acids from genetic information carriers into programmable building blocks that manipulate matter at molecular, nano- and micro-scale levels. By leveraging Watson-Crick base pairing, researchers have constructed sophisticated architectures and explored their applications across nanofabrication, diagnostics, therapeutics, data storage, molecular computing, and beyond. These advances critically rely on the development of DNA synthesis, chemical modification, and integration of functional elements. Despite remarkable progress, key challenges remain in predictive design, in vivo stability, targeted delivery, and scalable manufacturing.
This Special Issue of ACS Applied Bio Materials aims to capture the full breadth of this rapidly evolving field across chemistry, physics, materials science, biomedicine, data science and beyond. We welcome original research, reviews and perspectives that present breakthroughs, best practices, and new conceptual insights.
Topics of Interest
Topics include, but are not limited to:
Chemistry of DNA Nanotechnology
DNA synthesis and purification; chemical modifications and backbone engineering; aptamer selection and functionalization; nucleic acid-organic/inorganic conjugates; reaction mechanisms for self-assembly.
Physics of DNA Assembly and Dynamics
Thermodynamics and kinetics of DNA hybridization; photophysics, electrochemistry, and optoelectronic behavior of DNA-based materials; phase transitions in DNA hydrogels.
DNA-based Nanofabrication
DNA and RNA nanostructures (origami, tiles, etc.); DNA-based hydrogels, films, and porous frameworks; stimuli-responsive and adaptive materials; interfaces with metals, semiconductors, polymers, and other materials; scalable manufacturing approaches; AI-driven design, modeling, characterization, and optimization.
Biomedical Applications
Targeted drug delivery; gene therapy; immunomodulation and vaccine adjuvants; biosensing, bioimaging, and point-of-care diagnostics; cell-surface engineering and organelle targeting.
DNA Information Storage and Molecular Computing
DNA-based data storage; DNA molecular computing (including logic gates, circuits, neural networks, etc.).
Organizing Editors
Prof. Shu Wang, Deputy Editor, ACS Applied Bio Materials
Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Prof. Hao Yan, Associate Editor, ACS Applied Bio Materials
Arizona State University, United States
Prof. Chunhai Fan, Guest Editor
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
Prof. Dongsheng Liu, Guest Editor
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
Prof. Haotian Bai, Guest Editor
Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Prof. Qian Li, Guest Editor
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
Submission Information
We welcome submissions for this Special Issue through February 28, 2027. For more information on submission requirements, please visit the journal’s Author Guidelines page.
Accepted manuscripts for consideration in this Special Issue will include research articles, reviews, and spotlights. Papers accepted for publication for this Special Issue will be available ASAP (as soon as publishable) online. After all submissions have been published, they will then be compiled online on a dedicated landing page to form the Special Issue. Manuscripts submitted for consideration will undergo the full rigorous peer review process expected from ACS journals.
Open Access: There are diverse open access options for publications in American Chemical Society journals. Please visit our Open Science Resource Center for more information.
How to Submit
- Log in to the ACS Publishing Center.
- Select your manuscript type; upload your manuscript and related files.
- Review the title and abstract fields to ensure any pre-populated information has uploaded correctly.
- Under "Special Issue Selection," select DNA Nanotechnology: From Design, Function to Applications.
- Confirm all other information has uploaded correctly.
- Submit your article.
If you have any general questions regarding submission to this Special Issue, please contact Dr. Chengmei Zhong (managing.editor@abm.acs.org).
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