DNA Base Pair Stacking Assembly of Anisotropic Nanoparticles for Biosensing and Ordered Assembly

Abstract

Anisotropic gold nanoparticles have attracted great interest due to their unique physicochemical properties derived from the shape anisotropy. Manipulation of their interfacial interactions, and thereby the assembling behaviors are often requisite in their applications ranging from optical sensing and diagnosis to self-assembly. Recently, the control of interfacial force based on base pair stacking of DNA terminals have offered a new avenue to surface engineering of nanostructures. In this review, we focus on the DNA base stacking-induced assembly of anisotropic gold nanoparticles, such as nanorods and nanotriangles. The fundamental aspects of anisotropic gold nanoparticles are provided, including the mechanism of the anisotropic growth, the properties arising from the anisotropic shape, and the construction of DNA-grafted anisotropic gold nanoparticles. Then, the advanced applications of their functional assemblies in biosensing and ordered assembly are summarized, followed by a comparison with gold nanospheres. Finally, conclusions and outlooks are given with challenges and opportunities on the futuristic directions in this field.

Suppressed DNA base pair stacking assembly of gold nanoparticles in an alcoholic solvent for enhanced ochratoxin A detection in Baijiu

“…[13][14][15] Double-stranded (ds) DNA-functionalized AuNPs (dsDNA-AuNPs) that exhibit unique interfacial behavior depending on terminal base pairing have gained popularity in colorimetric detection. [16][17][18] Once the fully matched dsDNA is formed on AuNPs, the stacking force generated among the terminal base pairs can cause non-crosslinking assembly of the AuNPs. 19,20 In contrast, AuNPs functionalized with terminally mismatched dsDNA or ssDNA can remain highly dispersed, 21,22 even in complex systems, because of their entro-pically repulsive motion of the free base(s).…”

DNA-Functionalized Silver Nanoparticles in an Alcoholic Solvent for Environment-Dictated Multimodal Actuation

“…These results could be attributed to terminal DNA-base-pair stacking among the resulting dsDNA-AgNPs (Figure b). According to our previous studies, the result implies dense dsDNA functionalization of the AgNPs . When mis-DNA was added, on the contrary, a negligible change in the spectral profile of the AgNPs was observed.…”

“…According to our previous studies, the result implies dense dsDNA functionalization of the AgNPs. 35 When mis-DNA was added, on the contrary, a negligible change in the spectral profile of the AgNPs was observed. This result reveals that their distinct colloidal stability, even at high ionic strength, arises from the fraying motion of the outermost bases.…”

Introducing DNA Nanosensor to Undergraduate Students: Rapid Non-Cross-Linking Aggregation of DNA-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles for Colorimetric DNA Assay

“…The evaluation of the specificity of the DNA-AuNP probe solution for DNA sequences that leads to varied position of single-base mismatch provides students with understanding of the new aggregation pattern of DNA-AuNPs. Based on the understanding of the AuNP-based nanosensors, an opening discussion can be proposed and introduced for designing a detection kit and test strips for a wide range of meaningful analytes such as Coronavirus COVID-19, single nucleotide polymorphism, and metal ions. − Sample pre- and postlab questions that help students to understand the principle of colorimetric DNA detection are in the Supporting Information, which can be given as a handout to examine the students’ learning.…”