title: Selective Binding of Genomic Escherichia coli DNA with ZnO Leads to White Light Emission: A New Aspect of Nano-Bio Interaction and Interface.
abstract: Here, we report for the first time, a novel and intriguing application of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the area of optics by demonstrating white light emission by tuning the emission of a nanomaterial, ZnO rods, exhibiting surface defects, in the presence of genomic Escherichia coli DNA with a comparatively high quantum efficiency. In order to understand the DNA specificity, we have also studied the interaction of ZnO with CT, and ML DNA, ss EC DNA, synthetic polynucleotides and different mononucleosides and bases. Further, in order to understand the effect of particle shape and defects present in ZnO, we have also extended our study with ZnO rods prepared at higher temperature exhibiting red emission and ZnO particles exhibiting yellow emission. Interestingly, none of the above studies resulted in white light emission from ZnO-DNA complex. Our studies unequivocally confirmed that the concentration and the nature of DNA and ZnO together plays a crucial role in obtaining CIE coordinates (0.33, 0.33) close to white light. The much enhanced melting temperature (Tm) of EC DNA and the energetics factors confirm enhanced hydrogen bonding of ZnO with EC DNA leading to a new emission band. Our experimental observations not only confirm the selective binding of ZnO to EC DNA but also open a new perspective for developing energy saving light emitting materials through nano-bio interactions.
authors.affiliation: Sensor and Actuator Division, CSIR-Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute , Kolkata-700032, India.
authors.forename: Sumita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Das
authors.affiliation: Sensor and Actuator Division, CSIR-Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute , Kolkata-700032, India.
authors.forename: Srikrishna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pramanik
authors.affiliation: Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory, Organic and Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology , Kolkata-700032, India.
authors.forename: Sabyasachi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
authors.affiliation: Sensor and Actuator Division, CSIR-Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute , Kolkata-700032, India.
authors.forename: Partha Pratim
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Das
authors.affiliation: Sensor and Actuator Division, CSIR-Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute , Kolkata-700032, India.
authors.forename: Parukuttyamma Sujatha
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6224-7821
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Devi
authors.affiliation: Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory, Organic and Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology , Kolkata-700032, India.
authors.forename: Gopinatha
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3596-979X
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Suresh Kumar
mesh_terms: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004926:Escherichia coli; D023281:Genomics; D008027:Light; D015034:Zinc Oxide
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D015034:Zinc Oxide
keywords: Escherichia coli DNA; ZnO rod; hydrogen bonding; nano−bio interaction; surface defect; white light emission