Molecular Tinkertoys and How to Assemble Them

We propose a systematic method of synthesizing robust macromolecules of any desired shape with precise and total structural control. It involves assembly of 3D objects from a few fundamental and carefully designed "molecular building blocks" in a "treelike leaf-to-root" fashion, followed by a later "global rigidizing" reaction. We propose three different sets of abstract primitive operations, (which the building block molecules must support) and show that each suffices for essentially universal synthetic power. We present a mathematical theory of "assembly" including a polynomial time algorithm to find an "optimal" (e.g. with maximum possible synthetic yield) "tree sliced iso-oriented" assembly of any "lattice animal." Finally, we present paper designs of actual molecules and chemistry to show that all of our required primitive operations should indeed be achievable compatibly. Analysis suggests that the major limit on all this will be imperfect chemical specificity. This idea is still..