Maximizing DNA loading on a range of gold nanoparticle sizes

Sarah J. Hurst, Abigail K.R. Lytton-Jean, Chad A. Mirkin*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

904 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have investigated the variables that influence DNA coverage on gold nanoparticles. The effects of salt concentration, spacer composition, nanoparticle size, and degree of sonication have been evaluated. Maximum loading was obtained by salt aging the nanoparticles to ∼0.7 M NaCl in the presence of DNA containing a poly(ethylene glycol) spacer. In addition, DNA loading was substantially increased by sonicating the nanoparticles during the surface loading process. Last, nanoparticles up to 250 nm in diameter were found have ∼2 orders of magnitude higher DNA loading than smaller (13-30 nm) nanoparticles, a consequence of their larger surface area. Stable large particles are attractive for a variety of biodiagnostic assays.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)8313-8318
Number of pages6
JournalAnalytical Chemistry
Volume78
Issue number24
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 15 2006

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Analytical Chemistry

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