Patterned DNA Metallization by Sequence-Specific Localization of a Reducing Agent

Abstract

Localization of a reducing agent, glutaraldehyde, on DNA molecules directs their metallization into highly conductive wires. DNA can be marked for metallization by aldehyde derivatization while retaining its biological functionality. Patterning the aldehyde derivatization of the DNA molecules in a sequence-specific manner allows to embed the precise metallization pattern into the DNA scaffold without compromising its recognition capabilities or biological functionality. We demonstrate scaffold DNA patterning by hybridization of aldehyde-derivatized and underivatized DNA molecules and by sequence-specific protection against aldehyde derivatization. This approach opens new possibilities in wiring of complex molecular-scale electronic circuits.

Integrated Nanoparticle–Biomolecule Hybrid Systems: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications

“…In a similar approach, the nucleoprotein filament 117 was used to protect the DNA from the aldehyde derivatization process rather than the metallization process. [385] The binding of RecA to the DNA prohibited its reaction with glutaraldehyde which created an underivatized region on the DNA. After the removal of excess glutaraldehyde, the RecA …”

Controlled Nucleation of DNA Metallization

“…In a second, development step, known from black-andwhite photography, these metal clusters function as nucleation sites for the reductive deposition of metal atoms until a continuous conductive coating is formed. Novel procedures aimed at increasing the selectivity of the metallization process are the decoration of DNA with functional groups to control the spatial distribution of the nucleation sites, [10] the photochemical deposition of silver on DNA strands, [11] and the formation of DNA-Pt II adducts as precursors for metal deposition on DNA.[12] The most critical step in the whole metallization process is the initial nucleation step. The uniformity and the distribution of the metal clusters define the homogeneity of the development step and hence the result of the metallization process.…”

Electronic structures of DNA molecules and their alignment control on Si(100) substrates with one–dimensional lattices

“…Although DNA itself is of potential interest for microelectronic applications such as switches and memories, the electronic properties of DNA molecules are still controversial [7,8] and further investigations includ;ing large-scale computer calculations [9] should be necessary. DNA is also very attractive for patterning nanoscale metallization of microelectronic circuits through its remarkable molecular recognition and self-organization properties [10,11]. By combining these DNA characteristics and our alignment technique using one-dimensional lattices on Si(1 0 0), we believe that a new technology can be developed to integrate DNA molecular devices into LSI microelectronic circuits fabricated on Si(1 0 0).…”