M-DNA: a self-assembling molecular wire for nanoelectronics and biosensing. |
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| Authors: | Shawn D Wettig Chen-Zhong Li Yi-Tao Long Heinz-Bernhard Kraatz Jeremy S Lee |
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| Institution: | Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan, 107, Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5 Canada. |
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| Abstract: | M-DNA is a complex between divalent metal ions such as Zn2+ and duplex DNA which forms at pH 8.5. Unlike B-DNA, M-DNA does not bind ethidium so that M-DNA formation can be monitored conveniently by an ethidium fluorescence assay. M-DNA was shown to be a better conductor than B-DNA by fluorometric measurements of electron transport in donor-acceptor labelled duplexes; by direct conductivity measurements of M-DNA bound between gold electrodes and by cyclic voltammetric studies on ferrocene labelled duplexes attached to gold microelectrodes. As is the case with B-DNA, M-DNA can self-assemble into a variety of structures and is anticipated to find widespread use in nanoelectronics and biosensing. |
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