title: Directed organization of DNA filaments in a soft matter template.
abstract: We have developed a noninvasive, all-optical, holographic technique for permanently aligning liquid crystalline DNA filaments in a microperiodic template realized in soft-composite (polymeric) materials. By combining optical intensity holography with a selective microfluidic etching process, a channelled microstructure has been realized which enables self-assembly of DNA. The striking chemicophysical properties of the structure immobilize the DNA filaments within the microchannels without the need of any kind of surface chemistry or functionalization. Polarized optical, confocal, and electronic microscopies have been used for characterizing the DNA geometry inside the microchannels in terms of birefringence, fluorescence, and nanoscale organization properties. In particular, observation of a far-field diffraction pattern confirms a periodic organization of the DNA filaments inside the polymeric template.
authors: Department of Physics, Centre of Excellence for the Study of Innovative Functional Materials, University of Calabria and CNR-IPCF UOS, Cosenza, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy. luciano.desio@fis.unical.it
authors: Luciano
authors: L
authors: De Sio
authors: Patrizia
authors: P
authors: D'Aquila
authors: Elvira
authors: E
authors: Brunelli
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Strangi
authors: Dina
authors: D
authors: Bellizzi
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Passarino
authors: Cesare
authors: C
authors: Umeton
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Bartolino
mesh_terms: D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D004247:DNA