Home > Press > Hula-Hoop Nanotechnique
Abstract:
Periodic nanostructures made of gold nanoparticles and long DNA strands with repeated sequences
Hula-Hoop Nanotechnique
Posted on April 02, 2006
Multifaceted DNA: in our bodies it carries our genetic information; in the hands of scientists it continues to reveal itself as the material of choice for nanotechnology. DNA is very stable and mechanically strong, and because of the specific base pairing in the double strand predictable structures are accessible. Canadian researchers led by Michael A. Brook and Yingfu Li have now successfully produced specific, periodic three-dimensional nanostructures from long single strands of DNA and gold nanoparticles. The researchers see nanocomputers, nanocircuits, and highly sensitive biosensors as potential areas of application.
The secret to their success is a DNA duplication technique known as “rolling circle amplification” or the “hula-hoop” technique. A ring of single-stranded DNA is used as the model, a special polymerase enzyme “reads” this model and builds the corresponding complementary strand. When this is complete, this type of polymerase, unlike ordinary polymerases, does not stop working. It is able to separate the fresh strand from the original and continues to copy the model again without interruption. This leads to long (theoretically infinitely long) single strands of DNA with a sequence of repeating patterns.
The team attached short DNA fragments to gold nanoparticles with a diameter of 15 nm. Tiny rings of DNA were then hooked on by way of specific base pairs and a hula-hoop-capable form of polymerase was added. That started it off: round and round the loop until long DNA chains hung from the little gold spheres. In order to demonstrate that these aggregates are good scaffolds for 3D structures, the researchers added smaller gold particles (5 nm diameter), each equipped with one short DNA segment. The sequence of these fragments was complementary to one region of the repeated sequence of the long DNA chains, so the fragments docked onto the larger structure. Because the pattern periodically repeats, the long DNA strands were now equipped with many little gold particles at regular intervals—like pearls on a necklace. The result is a periodic nanostructure.
“The construction and microstructure of such three-dimensional nano-entities can easily be controlled. Because DNA base pairing can also be broken up, these structures can be reversibly put together and taken apart again.” Brook and Li consider this to be one of the special advantages of their “nanoconstruction kit.”
####
Author: Yingfu Li, McMaster University, Hamilton (Canada), www.science.mcmaster.ca/biochem/faculty/li/index.htm
Title: DNA Polymerization on Gold Nanoparticles through Rolling Circle Amplification: Towards Novel Scaffolds for Three-Dimensional Periodic Nanoassemblies
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2006,
45, 2409, doi: 10.1002/anie.200600061
Contact:
Editorial office:
angewandte@wiley-vch.de
or David Greenberg (US)
dgreenbe@wiley.com
or Julia Lampam (UK)
jlampam@wiley.co.uk
Copyright ©
Angewandte Chemie
If you have a comment, please
Contact us.
Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Bookmark:
Possible Futures
Lifeboat publishes its first book: The Lifeboat Foundation has published its first book, "The Human Race to the Future: What Could Happen -- and What to Do" May 14th, 2013
UC Santa Barbara History Professor's Book Elucidates, Celebrates ‘Visioneers' May 14th, 2013
Conceptual Nanomedical Lipofuscin Removal Strategy April 29th, 2013
The Global Desalination Market 2013-2023 April 24th, 2013
Nanomedicine
Nanotechnology could help fight diabetes: Injectable nanogel can monitor blood-sugar levels and secrete insulin when needed May 16th, 2013
Nanobiotix Revenue for the 1st quarter of 2013 May 15th, 2013
Pitt Chemists Demonstrate Nanoscale Alloys So Bright They Could Have Potential Medical Applications: “Think about a particle that will not only help researchers detect cancer sooner but be used to treat the tumor, too.” May 15th, 2013
Using clay to grow bone: Researchers use synthetic silicate to stimulate stem cells into bone cells May 15th, 2013
Sensors
Advancements and developments of solid-state nanopores sensors May 16th, 2013
Imec and Renesas collaborate on ultra-low power short range radios: Collaboration will develop robust wireless solutions for future electronics May 16th, 2013
Physicists discover a new kind of friction: Friction in the nano-world May 16th, 2013
HELIOS Program Develops Complete Supply Chain for Integrating Photonics with CMOS Circuit via IC Fabrication Processes May 14th, 2013
Nanoelectronics
Imec and Renesas collaborate on ultra-low power short range radios: Collaboration will develop robust wireless solutions for future electronics May 16th, 2013
Piezoelectric 'taxel' arrays convert motion to electronic signals for tactile imaging April 25th, 2013
Battery and Memory Device in One April 25th, 2013
Secret of the Crystal's Corners: New Nanowire Structure Has Potential to Increase Semiconductor Applications: University of Cincinnati research describes discovery of a new structure that is a fundamental game changer in the physics of semiconductor nanowires April 23rd, 2013
Materials
Advancements and developments of solid-state nanopores sensors May 16th, 2013
Physicists discover a new kind of friction: Friction in the nano-world May 16th, 2013
Squishy hydrogels may be the ticket for studying biological effects of nanoparticles May 15th, 2013
Pitt Chemists Demonstrate Nanoscale Alloys So Bright They Could Have Potential Medical Applications: “Think about a particle that will not only help researchers detect cancer sooner but be used to treat the tumor, too.” May 15th, 2013
Announcements
Aspen Aerogels Announces $22.5 Million Private Placement May 18th, 2013
NanoInk, Inc. Assets To Be Sold May 18th, 2013
NIA Public Briefing: Nanotechnology and the Council of Europe May 17th, 2013
Scientists capture first direct proof of Hofstadter butterfly effect May 17th, 2013