Directed Hybridization of DNA Derivatized Nanoparticles into Higher Order Structures

Abstract

Electric field directed hybridization was used to produce twenty layer nanostructures composed of DNA derivatized nanoparticles. Using an electronic microarray device, DNA nanoparticles could be directed and concentrated such that rapid and specific hybridization occurs only on the activated sites. Nanoparticle layers were formed within 30 s of activation and twenty layer structures completed in under an hour. Results demonstrate a unique combination of bottom-up and top-down techniques for nanofabrication.

Electric-Field-Directed Self-Assembly of Active Enzyme-Nanoparticle Structures

“…This powerful tool has enabled devices to be made which utilize the electric fields to enhance DNA hybridization, to form protein layers for biosensors, and to pattern cells [30–36]. Recently we have shown the ability to construct higher-order NP structures by electric-field-directed self-assembly through the specific interactions of complementary DNA sequences as well as through protein-molecule interactions (Figures 1(a) and 1(b)) [14, 37, 38]. We now present the ability to integrate active enzymes into these NP structures by directed electrophoretic means (Figure 1(c)), thus providing a new bottom-up fabrication method for patterning and constructing structures from NPs in a rapid and combinatorial fashion atop a microarray.…”

Electric field directed assembly of high-density microbead arrays

“…Microbeads have been captured or assembled onto various surfaces via evaporation, 4-6 gravity, 7 centrifugation, 8 and magnetic 9,10 and electric fields. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] While all these methods have been successfully utilized, each has some limitations. For instance, controlled evaporation, or dewetting, can take hours to assemble large arrays on microfabricated templates.…”