Synthesis of Branched DNA Scaffolded Super‐Nanoclusters with Enhanced Antibacterial Performance

Metal nanoclusters (NCs) possess unique optical properties, and exhibit a wide variety of potential applications. DNA with robust molecular programmability is demonstrated as an ideal scaffold to regulate the formation of NCs, offering a rational approach to precisely tune the spatial structures of NCs. Herein, the first use of branched DNA as scaffold to regulate the formation of silver nanoclusters (super‐AgNC) is reported, in which the spatial structures are precisely designed and constructed. Super‐AgNC with tunable shapes and arm‐lengths including Y‐, X‐, and (Y–X)‐ shaped super‐AgNC is achieved. The molecular structures and optical properties of super‐AgNCs are systemically studied. As a proof of application, remarkably, super‐AgNCs exhibit superior antibacterial performance. In addition, super‐AgNCs show excellent biocompatibility with three types of tissue cells including 293T (human embryonic kidney cells), SMCs (vascular smooth muscle cells), and GLC‐82 (lung adenocarcinoma cells). These performances enable the super‐AgNCs adaptable in a variety of applications such as biosensing, bioimaging, and antibacterial agents. Branched DNA meeting with metals: branched DNA is employed as the scaffold to formulate the formation of super silver nanoclusters, in which spacial structures are precisely tuned, optical properties are regulated, and the antibacterial performance is enhanced.