Structural DNA Nanotechnology and Its Applications

by Dr Sung-Ha Park (Sungkyunkwan University)

Wednesday 19 Oct 2011, 14:30 → 15:10 Europe/Zurich

26-1-022 (CERN)

Although it is well known as molecules for storage of genetic information in biology, DNA has also been recognized as an efficient building material in the field of DNA nanotechnology. DNA molecules provide basic building blocks for constructing functionalized nanostructures with two major features: self-assembly and programmability. In this talk, we present on self-assembled various DNA nanostructures and their applications. 1D and 2D periodically patterned nanostructures utilizing several distinct DNA motifs such as cross tiles, double crossover tiles as well as single-stranded tiles will be discussed with unique design schemes and characteristics. We have demonstrated fabrication of size-controllable, fully addressable, and precisely programmable DNA-based nanostructures. Especially in construction of “working” devices, properly designed DNA lattices can serve as a controllable and programmable scaffold for organizing nanomaterials such as protein or nanoparticles. DNA-templated metallic nanowires using a chemical deposition method might be a good example. We discuss electrical measurement through silver nanowires and propose possibilities of the construction of physical devices and biological/chemical sensors based on DNA lattice. We also briefly discuss feasibility of radioactive ion beam based study of artificial DNA molecules. Radioactive ion beam have been used for studying condensed matters and are about to investigate biomaterials as well for its probing the conformation and dynamics of biomolecules in aqueous solution. These innovative and authentic characterization techniques may lead to the fabrication of new and complex biological structures with high production yield and functional performance efficiency in devices and sensors’ application in near future.