Work

Site-Specific In Situ Metallization of Wireframe DNA Origami for Reversible Fluorescence Switching

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The addressability of DNA origami nanostructures enables the site-specific positioning of functional materials with nanometer-scale precision. DNA origami-templated gold nanoparticles have attracted broad interest due to their tunable optical and electronic properties. In this study, we develop a bottom-up nanofabrication strategy that integrates a rationally designed chemical handle that contains an iodobenzene derivative into a wireframe DNA origami template to direct the capture and in situ reduction of gold ions, achieving site-specific metallization. We then incorporate a fluorescent Cy3 dye into the metallized origami template to show the distance-dependent fluorescence quenching via energy transfer. As a proof of concept, we also demonstrate the dynamic programmability of the hybrid system to remove the fluorophore by using a strand displacement reaction, resulting in complete fluorescence recovery.

Source: ACS Nano

DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.6c00622

Authors: Minu Saji, Devanathan Perumal, Tiffany R. Olivera, Henry Wisniewski, Shaden Salim, Fei Zhang

Institution: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Language: English

Topic: Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funders: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Division of Materials Research