Linear assemblies of nanoparticles electrostatically organized on DNA scaffolds

A significant challenge faced in the use of nanoscale building blocks is developing parallel methods for interconnecting and patterning assemblies of the individual components. Molecular or polymeric scaffolds hold promise as a means of preparing closely spaced, specifically arranged nanoscale assemblies. Here we show how a biopolymer, DNA, can be used as a scaffold for the assembly of extended, close-packed, ligand-stabilized metal nanoparticle structures, including several desirable architectures (such as lines, ribbons, and branches). Electrostatic binding of ligand-stabilized nanoparticles to the DNA backbone results in extended linear chain-like structures, ribbon-like structures composed of parallel nanoparticle chains, and branched structures. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy shows that the particles are evenly spaced, separated only by the 15 Angstrom imposed by the intervening ligand shell. These studies demonstrate that biomolecular nanolithography (the arrangement of nanoscale building blocks on biomolecular scaffolds) is a viable approach to interconnecting individual devices into extended, closely spaced assemblies.