Metal coating of DNA molecules by cationic, metastable gold nanoparticles

Metastable cationic gold nanoparticles were newly developed by the use of thiocholine bromide (TCB) as stabilizer. The gold nanoparticles electrostatically bound to DNA molecules and then underwent self-fusion into the wire-like structures. The use of TCB as a labile ligand was essential to achieve non-electrochemical plating of the non-conductive molecules.