Programmable interactions with biomimetic DNA linkers at fluid membranes and interfaces.

At the heart of the structured architecture and complex dynamics of biological&13; systems are specific and timely interactions operated by biomolecules. In many&13; instances, biomolecular agents are spatially confined to flexible lipid membranes where,&13; among other functions, they control cell adhesion, motility and tissue formation.&13; Besides being central to several biological processes, multivalent interactions mediated&13; by reactive linkers confined to deformable substrates underpin the design of synthetic-&13; biological platforms and advanced biomimetic materials. Here we review recent&13; advances on the experimental study and theoretical modelling of a heterogeneous&13; class of biomimetic systems in which synthetic linkers mediate multivalent interactions&13; between fluid and deformable colloidal units, including lipid vesicles and emulsion&13; droplets. Linkers are often prepared from synthetic DNA nanostructures, enabling&13; full programmability of the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of their mutual&13; interactions. The coupling of the statistical effects of multivalent interactions with&13; substrate fluidity and deformability gives rise to a rich emerging phenomenology that,&13; in the context of self-assembled soft materials, has been shown to produce exotic phase&13; behaviour, stimuli-responsiveness, and kinetic programmability of the self-assembly&13; process. Applications to (synthetic) biology will also be reviewed.