  By exploiting the exquisite selectivity of DNA hybridization, DNA-Coated
Colloids (DNACCs) can be made to self-assemble in a wide variety of structures.
The beauty of this system stems largely from its exceptional versatility and
from the fact that a proper choice of the grafted DNA sequences yields fine
control over the colloidal interactions. Theory and simulations have an
important role to play in the optimal design of self- assembling DNACCs. At
present, the powerful model-based design tools are not widely used, because the
theoretical literature is fragmented and the connection between different
theories is often not evident. In this Perspective, we aim to discuss the
similarities and differences between the different models that have been
described in the literature, their underlying assumptions, their strengths and
their weaknesses. Using the tools described in the present Review, it should be
possible to move towards a more rational design of novel self-assembling
structures of DNACCs and, more generally, of systems where ligand-receptors
bonds are used to control interactions.
