DNA Origami Steganography Based on Photocleavable Oligonucleotides

Abstract

DNA nanostructures have been regarded as promising platforms for molecular information coding for their high programmability and nanoscale addressability. However, steganography based on DNA nanostructures still needs further investigation. Here, we designed and synthesized a coumarin derivative structure with selective photo responsiveness in the visible light spectrum and developed a DNA origami steganography system that can only be decrypted through specific light exposure conditions. Under right light treatment, the effective cleavage of photoresponsive groups would cause some of the streptavidin binding sites to detach from the origami, thereby allowing the steganographic information to be read correctly.