Simple quantitative model for the reversible association of DNA coated colloids.
We investigate the reversible association of micrometer-sized colloids coated with complementary single-stranded DNA "sticky ends" as a function of the temperature and the sticky end coverage. We find that even a qualitative description of the dissociation transition curves requires the inclusion of an entropic cost. We develop a simple general model for this cost in terms of the configurational entropy loss due to binding and confinement of the tethered DNA between neighboring particles. With this easy-to-use model, we demonstrate for different kinds of DNA constructs quantitative control over the dissociation temperature and the sharpness of the dissociation curve, both essential properties for complex self-assembly processes.
Dreyfus
Rémi
R
Center for Soft Matter Research, New York University, New York, NY, USA. dreyfus@nyu.edu
Leunissen
Mirjam E
ME
Sha
Roujie
R
Tkachenko
Alexei V
AV
Seeman
Nadrian C
NC
Pine
David J
DJ
Chaikin
Paul M
PM
D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry; D013816:Thermodynamics
D003102:Colloids; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D011137:Polystyrenes