Circular Dichroism Study of the Mechanism of Formation of DNA Templated Nanowires

In order to control the fabrication method, the mechanism used in the formation of DNA templated nonowires is investigated through circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Metallic (Au) and magnetic (Fe2O3 and CoFe2O4) nanoparticles (NP) are aligned along the DNA strand at various mass ratios. The DNA templated nonowires ore compared to the structure of B-form dsDNA through CD experiments. Absorbance and thermal melting tests are performed to verify the structural changes of DNA templated nanowires. Low concentrations of nanoparticles preserve the DNA B-form through electrostatic interactions. Conversely, at higher concentrations of nanoparticles aligned along the DNA strand, the template is denatured. Information on the mode of nanoparticle binding and DNA helix alterations ore explored for metallic and magnetic nanowires based upon the results.