  DNA nanotechnology allows for the realization of complex nanoarchitectures in
which the spatial arrangements of different constituents and most functions can
be enabled by DNA. When optically active components are integrated in such
systems, the resulting nanoarchitectures not only provide great insights into
the self-assembly of nanoscale elements in a systematic way but also impart
tailored optical functionality to DNA origami. In this Letter, we demonstrate
DNA-assembled multilayer nanosystems, which can carry out coordinated and
reversible sliding motion powered by DNA fuels. Gold nanoparticles cross-link
DNA origami filaments to define the configurations of the multilayer
nanoarchitectures as well as to mediate relative sliding between the
neighboring origami filaments. Meanwhile, the gold nanoparticles serve as
optical probes to dynamically interact with the fluorophores tethered on the
filaments, rendering in situ detection of the stepwise sliding processes
possible. This work seeds the basis to implement DNA-assembled complex optical
nanoarchitectures with programmability and addressability, advancing the field
with new momentum.
