Importance of the DNA "bond" in programmable nanoparticle crystallization

Robert J. Macfarlane, Ryan V. Thaner, Keith A. Brown, Jian Zhang, Byeongdu Lee, SonBinh Nguyen, Chad A Mirkin*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

67 Scopus citations

Abstract

If a solution of DNA-coated nanoparticles is allowed to crystallize, the thermodynamic structure can be predicted by a set of structural design rules analogous to Pauling's rules for ionic crystallization. The details of the crystallization process, however, have proved more difficult to characterize as they depend on a complex interplay of many factors. Here, we report that this crystallization process is dictated by the individual DNA bonds and that the effect of changing structural or environmental conditions can be understood by considering the effect of these parameters on free oligonucleotides. Specifically, we observed the reorganization of nanoparticle superlattices using time-resolved synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering in systems with different DNA sequences, salt concentrations, and densities of DNA linkers on the surface of the nanoparticles. The agreement between bulk crystallization and the behavior of free oligonucleotides may bear important consequences for constructing novel classes of crystals and incorporating new interparticle bonds in a rational manner.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)14995-15000
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume111
Issue number42
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 21 2014

Keywords

  • DNA materials
  • Nanostructure
  • Self assembly

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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