Discrete Photoswitchable Nucleic-Acid Nanoaggregates for Remote Sensing
Abstract
The goal of this project was to study the properties of clusters of metal nanoparticles assembled with photoswitchable synthetic oligonucleotides. Major accomplishments of the program include: (1) synthesis of photoswitchable gold nanoparticle/DNA conjugates containing azobenzene-modified oligonucleotides and their reversible assembly into both extended (100-1000+ particles) and discrete (2-20 particles) nanoaggregates; (2) the demonstration that the assembly of these nanoaggregates can be controlled by remote optical illumination and that this behavior enables an all-optical photostringency wash that has the ability to discriminate single-base mismatches in DNA hybridization assays without the need for a temperature, salt, or pH gradient; (3) the discovery that the quantum yield for azobenzene photoswitching depends on the local sequence including type and position of single-base mismatches; and, (4) measurement of the force-induced melting of photoswitch modified oligonucleotides using dynamic force spectroscopy, showing that the photo-induced melting behavior is consistent with local (~few bases) disruption of the dsDNA. These results will help underpin the design of optical sensing schemes for biological and chemical sensors based on control of DNA hybridization and structure.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 17, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA595029
Entities
People
- David Ginger
Organizations
- University of Washington