Specific interaction of DNA-functionalized polymer colloids

Abstract

As a chemically based assembly system, DNA is a key player for use in the reversible and specific interactions of an advanced material. In this approach, we work with a one-component system where a number of DNA single strands are grafted on the surface of micro-sized particles. The interactions between the DNA-functionalized particles are controlled by the addition of DNA linker in solution, which has complementary sequences with the DNA strands grafted on the particles. The hydrogen bonding based on Watson-Crick pairing is the driving force to form double stranded DNA. Several techniques have been used to characterize this system; for example, optical microscopy, AFM, DLS and flow cytometry. The two DNA strands reversibly separate (denature) above a characteristic melting temperature of DNA's base pair sequences. The melting temperature of DNA in the study is in good agreement with that of calculation based on the thermodynamic point of view.

Self-assembly of DNA-functionalized colloids

“…Forces of interaction between DNA-grafted colloids via optical tweezer measurements have been also reported elsewhere [98], in quantitative agreement with a proposed theoretical model [99]. The specific interaction of DNA-functionalized polymer colloids by using DNA linkers in solution has been also reported [100]. Based on such measurements, a Monte Carlo (MC) scheme to describe colloidal crystallization has been implemented [101,102].…”

DNA-functionalized polystyrene particles and their controlled self-assembly

“…Essentially, DNA is covalently attached onto the polystyrene particle via amide bonds with poly(ethylene glycol)poly(propylene glycol)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-PPG-PEG) triblock-copolymer surfactant. 13 To obtain comparable melting results at an equilibrium state, similar experiments are performed under the same condition with triethylammonium acetate buffer (TEAA) for 24 h.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Indeed, DNAfunctionalized particles have become the basis for an increasing number of diagnostic applications. [11][12][13][14][15] In these systems, the noncovalent network is held together based on a DNA target sequence and a DNA functionalized particle. This aggregation process is reversible upon temperature change, depending on the DNA sequences, which determines the melting temperature (T m ) for the system.…”

Recent Progress in Processing Functionally Graded Polymer Foams

“…The creation of gas nuclei can be related to either homogeneous or heterogeneous nucleation ( Figure 2 ). Homogeneous nucleation possesses the spontaneous generating of gas molecules in the polymer matrix; on the other hand, heterogeneous nucleation exhibits the gas nuclei on the boundaries of two phases (polymer and another material like filler) [ 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 ]. In the case of plastic foaming without use of a chemical agent, bubble nucleation is often assumed to be homogeneous.…”