Method for self-assembly of arbitrary metal patterns on DNA scaffolds

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for self-assembly of arbitrarily-shaped metal nanostructures using specifically-designed patterns on nucleic acid scaffolds. The methods involve using the nucleic acid scaffolds as templates on which a second material patterned, as seed nuclei. The patterns are then selectively plated with metal using an electro-less plating process to create arbitrarily-shaped metal nanostructures that are not constrained by the structure of the scaffold. The methods herein use controlled-growth processes to actively select the dimensions, positions, and alignments of the patterns to create different arbitrary shapes of metal nanostructures.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]The present application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 854,595, filed Oct. 26, 2006, entitled “Method for self assembly of arbitrary contiguous metal patterns on DNA Scaffolds” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 922,919, filed Apr. 11, 2007, entitled “Method for self assembly of arbitrary contiguous metal patterns on DNA scaffolds.”STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST[0002]The Unites States Government has certain rights in this invention pursuant to Grant No. FA9550-04-1-0434 awarded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR).BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003](1) Technical Field[0004]The present invention relates to DNA-based nanotechnology. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for the creation of arbitrarily-shaped metal nanostructures using DNA and other nucleic acid scaffolds.[0005](2) Description of Related Art[0006]DNA-based nanotechnology is a growing field. The specifi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides methods for assembling arbitrarily-shaped metal nanostructures using a scaffold and a first material. The scaffold can be fabricated from a nucleic acid, DNA, DNA origami, two-dimensional DNA crystals, or a combination of these materials. The first material can be a single-stranded material or a plurality of nanoparticles. The methods allow for the creation of metal nanostructures that are not constrained by the shape of the scaffold. The invention also provides a plating process that allows for the electro-less plating of metal on the first material. The nanostructures can be used for various applications such as sensors, electronics, and optics.

Problems solved by technology

However, the metal plating is uncontrolled and results in metallization of the entire DNA nanostructure scaffold.

However, no other specific shapes of metal nanostructures have been created upon DNA scaffolds that are not constrained by the structure of the scaffold itself.

Previous methods have not incorporated arranging seed nuclei such as nanoparticles, single-stranded DNA or any other single-stranded nucleic acid in specific patterns upon a scaffold prior to plating a metal on the scaffold and thus create arbitrarily-shaped metal nanostructures that are not constrained by the DNA scaffold itself.

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