Colloidal interactions and self-assembly using DNA hybridization.
The specific binding of complementary DNA strands has been suggested as an ideal method for directing the controlled self-assembly of microscopic objects. We report the first direct measurements of such DNA-induced interactions between colloidal microspheres, as well as the first colloidal crystals assembled using them. The interactions measured with our optical tweezer method can be modeled in detail by well-known statistical physics and chemistry, boding well for their application to directed self-assembly. The microspheres' binding dynamics, however, have a surprising power-law scaling that can significantly slow annealing and crystallization.
Biancaniello
Paul L
PL
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
Kim
Anthony J
AJ
Crocker
John C
JC
D003102:Colloids / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D015342:DNA Probes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000379:methods*; D008863:Microspheres; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*
D003102:Colloids; D015342:DNA Probes