Investigating the stability of DNA-coated gold nanoparticles

Abstract

In this paper we investigate how the density of oligonucleotides around spherical 15 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) influences their stability against degradation by DNase I. We show that a significant decrease in the number of oligonucleotides attached to the AuNP surface is directly correlated with an increase in the DNA degradation by DNase I. Our experimental observations suggest that a close packing of oligonucleotides into a 3d arrangement at the surface of AuNPs endows the probes with the necessary stability required for their use in intracellular applications.