title: RNA-templated semiconductor nanocrystals.
abstract: The use of a biomolecular RNA template for the synthesis of CdS semiconductor nanocrystals is described. Transfer RNA, with a well-defined three-dimensional structure, is used as a scaffold and ligand system in the aqueous synthesis of CdS. We have found that nanocrystal structures can be modulated by the structure of the templating tRNA. When possessing a folded three-dimensional structure, tRNA-templated synthesis yields a single product. If the same tRNA is rendered unstructured through the introduction of destabilizing mutations, a range of products are observed. The results reported indicate that biomolecules can be used to systematically engineer the structures and properties of semiconductor-based materials, and that the synergy between the dimensions of nanostructures and biomolecules provides a means to tune the properties of materials with nanoscale precision.
authors.affiliation: Eugene F. Merkert Chemistry Center, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Chad J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Dooley
authors.forename: Shana O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Kelley
mesh_terms: D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D002850:Chromatography, Gel / Q000379:methods; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D008958:Models, Molecular; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000737:chemistry*; D012356:RNA, Transfer, Leu / Q000737:chemistry; D012666:Semiconductors; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D012356:RNA, Transfer, Leu; D013440:Sulfides; C034939:cadmium sulfide; D012343:RNA, Transfer