Center for Functional Nanomaterials Seminar

An integration of biomolecules with recognition properties and nano-objects opens a unique opportunity to establish highly selective and reversible interactions between the components of nanosystems. The interaction encodings can tremendously expand the concept of self-assembly by providing programmable instructions for formation of structures from the multiple types of nanoscale components. Our work explores how DNA can be engaged in the encoded interactions between inorganic nano-components, what factors govern assembly processes, and how the morphology of such self-organized structures can be regulated. By tailoring interplay of specific recognition interactions and non-specific physical effects, we have demonstrated an ability to control assembly kinetics, clustering, and ordering of DNA-capped nanoparticles. I will discuss our recent progress in understanding the principles of programmable assembly, effects associated with polymeric nature of DNA and nano-object anisotropy. I will review approaches developed by our group for the rational assembly of nanosystems with well-defined architectures, including homogeneous and heterogeneous 3D particle superlattices, finite size clusters of nanoparticles and switchable 3D systems. Applications of these assembly methods for fabrication of optically active nano-materials and for sensing of nucleic acids will be also discussed.