title: Linear assemblies of nanoparticles electrostatically organized on DNA scaffolds.
abstract: A significant challenge faced in the use of nanoscale building blocks is developing parallel methods for interconnecting and patterning assemblies of the individual components. Molecular or polymeric scaffolds hold promise as a means of preparing closely spaced, specifically arranged nanoscale assemblies. Here we show how a biopolymer, DNA, can be used as a scaffold for the assembly of extended, close-packed, ligand-stabilized metal nanoparticle structures, including several desirable architectures (such as lines, ribbons, and branches). Electrostatic binding of ligand-stabilized nanoparticles to the DNA backbone results in extended linear chain-like structures, ribbon-like structures composed of parallel nanoparticle chains, and branched structures. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy shows that the particles are evenly spaced, separated only by the 15 A imposed by the intervening ligand shell. These studies demonstrate that biomolecular nanolithography (the arrangement of nanoscale building blocks on biomolecular scaffolds) is a viable approach to interconnecting individual devices into extended, closely spaced assemblies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Materials Science Institute, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA.
authors.forename: Marvin G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hutchison
mesh_terms: D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry*; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008422:Materials Testing; D008832:Microchemistry / Q000379:methods; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D055672:Static Electricity
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D006046:Gold