Circular Dichroism Study of the Mechanism of Formation of DNA Templated Nanowires

Abstract

In order to control the fabrication method, the mechanism used in the formation of DNA templated nanowires is investigated through circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Metallic (Au) and magnetic (Fe(2)O(3) and CoFe(2)O(4)) nanoparticles (NP) are aligned along the DNA strand at various mass ratios. The DNA templated nanowires are compared to the structure of B-form dsDNA through CD experiments. Absorbance and thermal melting tests are performed to verify the structural changes of DNA templated nanowires. Low concentrations of nanoparticles preserve the DNA B-form through electrostatic interactions. Conversely, at higher concentrations of nanoparticles aligned along the DNA strand, the template is denatured. Information on the mode of nanoparticle binding and DNA helix alterations are explored for metallic and magnetic nanowires based upon the results.