Conformational addressing using the hairpin structure of single-strand DNA

Abstract

In this paper, we demonstrate through a chemistry experiment that conformational addressing can be achieved using the hairpin structure of a DNA molecule. The hairpin structure made by single-strand DNA (ssDNA) self-hybridization is made into the address part of conformational addressing, and it is assumed that the memory is read by opening this hairpin. The hairpin is continuously arranged in order to divide the address by class. Reading a sub-address requires an appropriate input oligomer to be added, when the preceding hairpin has been opened. We investigated, through the chemistry experiment, whether it would be possible to open the hairpin by the addition of an input oligomer into a solution that contained a hairpin-formed ssDNA. © Springer-Verlag 2004.