Understanding nanoparticle interfaces to DNA

We are studying the biophysical and functional behavior of DNA covalently linked to gold nanoparticles. Covalent linking of DNA to nanoparticles often results in non-specific adsorption of the DNA to the nanoparticle surface. This is problematic as it can prevent the ability of the DNA to hybridize to a target. We are exploring ways to label DNA with nanoparticles in such a way that DNA function is retained. Effect of nanoparticle size, DNA sequence and composition, and nanoparticle surface functionalization are studied. In addition, we are evaluating tools such as quantitative gel electrophoresis to quantitatively assay the DNA conformation on the nanoparticle surface, and charge of the nanoparticle-DNA conjugate.

A. Wijaya and K. Hamad-Schifferli, "Ligand customization and DNA functionalization of gold nanorods via roundtrip phase transfer ligand exchange," Langmuir, 2008.
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S. Park and K. Hamad-Schifferli, "Evaluation of hydrodynamic size and zeta-potential of surface-modified Au nanoparticle-DNA conjugates via Ferguson analysis," Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2008,112, 7611-7616.
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K. A. Brown, S. Park, K. Hamad-Schifferli, "Nucleotide-Surface interactions in DNA modified Au-Nanoparticle Conjugates: Sequence Effects on Reactivity and Hybridization," Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2008,112, 7517-7521.
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S. Park, K.A. Brown, K. Hamad-Schifferli, "Changes in oligonucleotide conformation on nanoparticle surfaces by modification with mercaptohexanol," Nano Letters, 2004, 4, 1925-1929.
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