Templating Ag on DNA/polymer hybrid nanowires: Control of the metal growth morphology using functional monomers

Ag nanowires and nanoparticles have been formed on hybrid λ-DNA/conducting polymer templates. The strong, but non-covalent, interaction of the conducting polymer with the double helix allowed us to incorporate chemical functionalities (alkynyl) into the DNA/conducting polymer strands by synthesis of functional monomers. Oxidative polymerisation of alkynyl-thienylpyrrole in the presence of λ-DNA produced conductive nanowires bearing alkyne groups; we show, using a combination of AFM, cAFM and EFM phase measurements that the alkyne functionality strong influences the subsequent templating reaction of Tollens’ reagent to produce uniform conductive nanowires comprised of many connected Ag clusters.     

以DNA为模板构造苯胺-DNA复合物纳米线和聚苯胺纳米导线

在溶液中, 以DNA为模板构造出了线性的苯胺-DNA复合物纳米线. 用压缩气流将得到的复合物纳米线拉直并固定到云母基底上. 用原子力显微镜(AFM)可观察到形貌规整的苯胺-DNA复合物纳米线. 苯胺单体在溶液中能从各个方向上组装到DNA分子上, 从而使DNA模板分子的表面包裹了一层苯胺. 以苯胺-DNA复合物纳米线为前驱体通过进一步化学氧化聚合得到了以DNA为模板的聚苯胺纳米导线.     

Synthesis, manipulation and conductivity of supramolecular polymer nanowires

The synthesis of supramolecular conducting nanowires can be achieved by using DNA and pyrrole. Oxidation of pyrrole in DNA-containing solutions yields a material that contains both the cationic polypyrrole (PPy) and the anionic DNA polymers. Intimate interaction of the two polymer chains in the self-assembled nanowires is indicated by FTIR spectroscopy. AFM imaging shows individual nanowires to be continuous, approximately 5 nm high and conformationally flexible. This feature allows them to be aligned by molecular combing in a similar manner to bare DNA and provides a convenient method for fabricating a simple electrical device by stretching DNA/PPy strands across an electrode gap. Current-voltage measurements confirm that the nanowires are conducting, with values typical for a polypyrrole-based material. In contrast to polymerisation of pyrrole on a DNA template in bulk solution, attempts to form similar wires by polymerisation at surface-immobilised DNA do not give a continuous coverage; instead, a beads-on-a-string appearance is observed suggesting that immobilisation inhibits the assembly process.     

A Simple and Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Biosensor for microRNA Detection Using Target‐Assisted Isothermal Exponential Amplification Reaction

A simple and highly sensitive electrochemical biosensor for microRNA (miRNA) detection was successfully developed by integrating a target‐assisted isothermal exponential amplification reaction (EXPAR) with enzyme‐amplified electrochemical readout. The binding of target miRNA with the immobilized linear DNA template generated a part duplex and triggered primer extension reaction to form a double‐stranded DNA. Then one of the DNA strands was cleaved by nicking endonuclease and extended again. The short fragments with the same sequence as the target miRNA except for the replacement of uridines and ribonucleotides with thymines and deoxyribonucleotides could be displaced and released. Hybridization of these released DNA fragments with other amplification templates and their extension on the templates led to target exponential amplification. Integrating with enzyme‐amplified electrochemical readout, the electrochemical signal decreases with the increasing target microRNA concentration. The method could detect miRNA down to 98.9 fM with a linear range from 100 fM to 10 nM. The fabrication and binding processes were characterized with cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The specificity of the method allowed single‐nucleotide difference between miRNA family members to be discriminated. The established biosensor displayed excellent analytical performance toward miRNA detection and might present a powerful and convenient tool for biomedical research and clinic diagnostic application.     

Biomolecule-nanoparticle hybrids as functional units for nanobiotechnology

Biomolecule-metal or semiconductor nanoparticle (NP) hybrid systems combine the recognition and catalytic properties of biomolecules with the unique electronic and optical properties of NPs. This enables the application of the hybrid systems in developing new electronic and optical biosensors, to synthesize nanowires and nanocircuits, and to fabricate new devices. Metal NPs are employed as nano-connectors that activate redox enzymes, and they act as electrical or optical labels for biorecognition events. Similarly, semiconductor NPs act as optical probes for biorecognition processes. Double-stranded DNA or protein chains that are modified with metallic nanoclusters act as templates for the synthesis of metallic nanowires. The nanowires are used as building blocks to assemble nano-devices such as a transistor or a nanotransporter.     

Reactive Template Synthesis of Polypyrrole Nanotubes for Fabricating Metal/Conducting Polymer Nanocomposites

Unique nanocomposites of polypyrrole/Au and polypyrrole/Pt hybrid nanotubes are synthesized employing polypyrrole (PPy) nanotubes as an advanced support by solution reduction. The conducting polymer PPy nanotubes are fabricated by using pre‐prepared MnO₂ nanowires as the reactive templates. MnO₂ nanowires induce the 1D polymerization of pyrrole monomers and the simultaneous dissolution of the templates affords the hollow tube‐like structure. The loading content of metal nanoparticles in the nanocomposites could be adjusted by simply changing the amount of metal precursors. This work provides an efficient approach to fabricate an important kind of metal/conducting polymer hybrid nanotubes that are potentially useful for electrocatalyst and sensor materials.     

Fabrication of DNA nanowires by orthogonal self-assembly and DNA intercalation on a Au patterned Si/SiO2 surface

A novel Ru complex bearing both an acridine group and anchoring phosphonate groups was immobilized on a surface in order to capture double-stranded DNAs (dsDNAs) from solution. At low surface coverage, the atomic force microscopy (AFM) image revealed the "molecular dot" morphology with the height of the Ru complex ( approximately 2.5 nm) on a mica surface, indicating that four phosphonate anchor groups keep the Ru complex in an upright orientation on the surface. Using a dynamic molecular combing method, the DNA capture efficiency of the Ru complex on a mica surface was examined in terms of the effects of the number of molecular dots and surface hydrophobicity. The immobilized surface could capture DNAs; however, the optimal number of molecular dots on the surface as well as the optimal pull-up speed exist to obtain the extended dsDNAs on the surface. Applying this optimal condition to a Au-patterned Si/SiO 2 (Au/SiO 2) surface, the Au electrode was selectively covered with the Ru complex by orthogonal self-assembly of 4-mercaptbutylphosphonic acid (MBPA), followed by the formation of a Zr (4+)-phosphonate layer and the Ru complex. At the same time, the remaining SiO 2 surface was covered with octylphosphonic acid (OPA) by self-assembly. The selective immobilization of the Ru complex only on the Au electrode was identified by time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) imaging on the chemically modified Au/SiO 2 surface. The construction of DNA nanowires on the Au/SiO 2 patterned surface was accomplished by the molecular combing method of the selective immobilized Ru complex on Au electrodes. These interconnected nanowires between Au electrodes were used as a scaffold for the modification of Pd nanoparticles on the DNA. Furthermore, Cu metallization was achieved by electroless plating of Cu metal on a priming of Pd nanoparticles on the Pd-covered DNA nanowires. The resulting Cu nanowires showed a metallic behavior with relatively high resistance.     

DNA-templated assembly and electropolymerization of aniline on gold surface

Biomolecule template gives new opportunities for the fabrication of novel materials with special features. Here we report a route to the formation of DNA–polyaniline (PAn) complex, using immobilized DNA as a template. A gold electrode was first modified with monolayer of 2-aminoethanethiol by self-assembly. Thereafter, by simply immersing the gold electrode into DNA solution, DNA molecules can be attached onto the gold surface, followed by the DNA-templated assembly and electropolymerization of protonated aniline. The electrostatic interactions between DNA and aniline can keep the aniline monomers aligning along the DNA strands. Investigations by surface plasmon resonance (SPR), electrochemistry and reflection–absorption UV/Vis–Near IR spectroscopy substantially convince that PAn can be electrochemically grown around DNA template on gold surface. This work may be provides fundamental aspects for building PAn nanowires with DNA as template on solid surface if DNA molecules can be individually separated and stretched.     

Assembly of highly aligned DNA strands onto Si chips

This paper reports a robust and efficient approach to assemble highly aligned DNA strands onto Si chips. The method combines advantages from molecular combing and microcontact printing to realize controlling both the density and direction of DNA strands on the Si chip. In addition, it also can be utilized to prepare stretched DNA structures on solid surfaces. Compared to approaches that use molecular combing directly on silanated surfaces, the stretched single-chain DNA structures are straighter. Furthermore, by exploiting the hydrophobic property of the intrinsic poly(dimethylsiloxane) stamp, this study also describes a simple way to produce straight bundled DNA arrays on Si and other substrates.     

Epitaxial heterostructures: side-to-side Si-ZnS, Si-ZnSe biaxial nanowires, and sandwichlike ZnS-Si-ZnS triaxial nanowires

Epitaxial semiconducting heterostructures: side-to-side Si-ZnS, Si-ZnSe biaxial nanowires, and sandwichlike ZnS-Si-ZnS triaxial nanowires were grown via a simple two-stage thermal evaporation of mixed SiO and ZnS or SiO and ZnSe powders under a precise temperature control. Each nanowire had a uniform diameter of 40-120 nm and length ranging from several to several tens of micrometers. Subnanowires of Si, ZnS, and ZnSe within them had a diameter of 20-50, 40-60, and 20-50 nm, respectively. The optical property (nanoscale cathodoluminescence) was also investigated from these new structures. It is proposed that the Si nanowires formed through disproportionation of SiO to Si in the first evaporation stage and then served as one-dimensional nanoscale substrates (or templates) for an epitaxial growth of ZnS or ZnSe nanowires in the following thermal evaporation of ZnS or ZnSe powders. The present results suggest that the simple method might be useful for the synthesis of many other heterostructures containing Si and II-VI or III-V semiconducting composite nanowires to meet the growing demands of nanoscale science and technology.     

Formation of oligonucleotide-PNA-chimeras by template-directed ligation

DNA sequences have previously been reported to act as templates for the synthesis of PNA, and vice versa. A continuous evolutionary transition from an informational replicating system based on one polymer to a system based on the other would be facilitated if it were possible to form chimeras, that is molecules that contain monomers of both types. Here we show that ligation to form chimeras proceeds efficiently both on PNA and on DNA templates. The efficiency of ligation is primarily determined by the number of backbone bonds at the ligation site and the relative orientation of template and substrate strands. The most efficient reactions result in the formation of chimeras with ligation junctions resembling the structures of the backbones of PNA and DNA and with antiparallel alignment of both components of the chimera with the template, that is, ligations involving formation of 3'-phosphoramidate and 5'-ester bonds. However, double helices involving PNA are stable both with antiparallel and parallel orientation of the two strands. Ligation on PNA but not on DNA templates is, therefore, sometimes possible on templates with reversed orientation. The relevance of these findings to discussions of possible transitions between genetic systems is discussed.     

ENZYMATIC SYNTHESIS OF MOLECULAR COMPLEXES OF POLYANILINE WITH DNA AND SYNTHETIC OLIGONUCLEOTIDES: THERMAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION

The assembly of electronic and photonic materials on biomacromolecules is of tremendous interest for the development of biofunctional nanocomplexes as well as highly selective biosensors. In the context of the use of electrically conducting polymers for sensing, polyaniline (Pani) and polypyrrole have received considerable interest because of their well-known electrical properties. Recently, we have reported an enzyme catalyzed synthetic procedure involving horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for the polymerization of aniline on a calf thymus DNA matrix. The mild reaction conditions involved in the synthesis have provided opportunities for the use of more delicate biomacromolecules as templates. The complexation of Pani with DNA has been found to induce reversible changes in the secondary structure of DNA leading to the formation of an over-wound polymorph. The thermal characterization (melting behavior) of the DNA in the complex and the morphological properties of the complex have provided corroborative evidence for the wrapping of Pani around the DNA matrix. Scanning probe and electron microscopy studies have indicated that the formation of Pani causes the DNA-Pani strands to agglomerate, presumably due to the neutralization of charge on the phosphate groups by the partially charged Pani. We also report the synthesis of Pani on a synthetic oligonucleotide (Poly[dA-dC].poly[dG-dT]). Demonstration of the use of a new biomimetic catalyst, polyethylene glycol modified hematin (PEG-hematin), in these reactions will also be presented. These results indicate that this biocatalytic synthetic approach is generic, versatile and can be adopted for both genomic and synthetic nucleic acids.

     

聚苯胺纳米线电导率的尺寸效应

在前期工作的基础上, 利用导电原子力显微镜法测量单根聚苯胺纳米线的电导率, 探讨了聚苯胺纳米线(PANI nanowine)电导率的尺寸效应, 发现尺寸效应与纳米线的有序性有关.     

Template assisted electrodeposition of germanium and silicon nanowires in an ionic liquid

In this paper we report for the first time on the room temperature template synthesis of germanium and silicon nanowires by potentiostatic electrochemical deposition from the air- and water stable ionic liquid 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([Py(1,4)]Tf(2)N) containing GeCl(4) and SiCl(4) as a Ge and Si source, respectively. Commercially-available track-etched polycarbonate membranes (PC) with an average nominal pore diameter of 90-400 nm were used as templates. Ge and Si nanowires with an average diameter corresponding to the nanopores' diameter and lengths of a few micrometres were reproducibly obtained. Structural characterization of the nanowires was performed by EDX, TEM, HR-SEM and Raman spectroscopy. Despite the rough surface of the nanowires, governed mostly by the original shape of the nanopore's wall of the commercially-available PC membrane, preliminary structural characterizations demonstrate the promising prospective of this innovative elaboration process compared to constraining high vacuum and high temperature methods.     

基于铜纳米线放大的汞离子高灵敏比色检测法

将滚环扩增技术与铜纳米线相结合进行信号放大,建立高选择性、高灵敏的汞离子比色检测新方法。以链霉亲和素修饰的磁珠为探针捕获和分离基质,将生物素修饰的引物链固定到其表面。汞离子存在时,模板链将通过T-Hg^2+-T作用与引物链结合。加入T4连接酶及DNA聚合酶引发滚环扩增反应形成超长单链DNA。与短单链DNA互补形成的长双链DNA可作为铜纳米线沉积模板,加入盐酸释放出大量铜离子催化底物氧化显色。在0.005~1.0 nmol/L范围,汞离子浓度与吸收信号呈良好线性关系,检出限低至3.7 pmol/L。     

Microwave synthesis of electrically conductive gold nanowires on DNA scaffolds

Biological molecules, in particular DNA, have shown great potential to be used as interconnects of nanodevices and computational elements. In this research, we synthesized electrically conductive gold nanowires for the first time exploiting an electroless and microwave heating method for 120-180 s. Our results indicate that DNA serves as a reducing and nonspecific capping agent for the growth of nanowires. The current voltage ( I- V) characteristics of the Au nanowires are continuous, exhibiting Ohmic behavior having low contact resistance with the gold electrodes. The nanowires have a diameter of 10-15 nm in solution and of 20-30 nm in immobilized DNA with resistivity comparable to pure metals. The method is highly selective with deposition confined to the DNA itself. The nanowires we fabricated can be used as building blocks for functional nanodevices, sensors, and optoelectronics.     

One-step fabrication of uniform Si-core/CdSe-sheath nanocables

A simple one-step thermal evaporation of CdSe powder using Si substrate at controlled conditions results in ultrauniform Si-core/CdSe-sheath nanocables. These nanocables are approximately 80 nm in diameter and several tens of micrometers in length. Detailed microstructure and chemical composition analysis of the nanocables indicates that they are composed of a single crystalline Si (cubic) core and CdSe (hexagonal) sheath. The experimental evidence suggested that the Si nanowires can be directly grown from the Si substrate via an oxide-assisted growth mechanism and further served as templates for CdSe, resulting in nanocable heterostructures.     

Phase-controlled growth of metastable Fe5Si3 nanowires by a vapor transport method

We report the synthesis of single-crystalline nanowires (NWs) of metastable Fe5Si3 phase via an iodide vapor transport method. Free-standing Fe5Si3 NWs are grown on a sapphire substrate placed on a Si wafer without the use of any catalyst. The typical size of the Fe5Si3 nanowires is 5-15 microm in length and 100-300 nm in diameter. Synthesis of the metastable phase is induced by composition-dependent nucleation from the gas-phase reaction. Depending on the concentration ratio of FeI2(g) to SiI4(g), different phases of iron silicides are formed. The growth of nanowires is facilitated by the initial nucleation of silicide particles on the substrate and further self-seeded growth of the NWs. The present work not only provides a method for the synthesis of metastable Fe5Si3 nanowires but also suggests that the phase controlled synthesis can be further optimized to produce other metal-rich silicide nanostructures for future spintronic devices.     

Multifunctional mixed SAMs that promote both cell adhesion and noncovalent DNA immobilization

The ability of DNA strands to influence cellular gene expression directly and to bind with high affinity and specificity to other biological molecules (e.g., proteins and target DNA strands) makes them a potentially attractive component of cell culture substrates. On the basis of the potential importance of immobilized DNA in cell culture and the well-defined characteristics of alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), the current study was designed to create multifunctional SAMs upon which cell adhesion and DNA immobilization can be independently modulated. The approach immobilizes the fibronectin-derived cell adhesion ligand Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro (RGDSP) using carbodiimide activation chemistry and immobilizes DNA strands on the same surface via cDNA-DNA interactions. The surface density of hexanethiol-terminated DNA strands on alkanethiol monolayers (30.2-69.2 pmol/cm2) was controlled using a backfill method, and specific target DNA binding on cDNA-containing SAMs was regulated by varying the soluble target DNA concentration and buffer characteristics. The fibronectin-derived cell adhesion ligand GGRGDSP was covalently linked to carboxylate groups on DNA-containing SAM substrates, and peptide density was proportional to the amount of carboxylate present during SAM preparation. C166-GFP endothelial cells attached and spread on mixed SAM substrates and cell adhesion and spreading were specifically mediated by the immobilized GGRGDSP peptide. The ability to control the characteristics of noncovalent DNA immobilization and cell adhesion on a cell culture substrate suggests that these mixed SAMs could be a useful platform for studying the interaction between cells and DNA.     

Magnetic nanowires via template electrodeposition

The magnetic NiFe_x nanowires were prepared via template-guided electrodeposition. Anodized nanoporous aluminum was used as a template. The pore density and dimensions of alumina templates can be controlled by anodization conditions. Magnetic nanorods (or nanowires) with various aspect ratios were prepared by controlling the electrodeposition time. SEM and TEM micrographs revealed the wire and rod shape morphologies with 50 nm in diameter and 1.5 ~ 10 μm in length. Elemental analysis and ESCA studies suggested that NiFe₃ magnetic alloy was formed. The X-ray diffraction pattern indicates that all the nanowires are stabilized in a BCC structure with a [1 1 0] texture oriented along the long axis of the nanowires. The magnetic measurement showed no hysteresis loops for the whole aspect ratios of the nanowires. Nevertheless, the magnetization is more temperature sensitive for nanowires with lower aspect ratio. This is caused by the fact that the easy magnetization axis is always parallel to the long axis of the nanowires.