University Of Illinois Research Says DNA Can Shape Gold Nanoparticles
Researchers at the University Of Illinois have found that DNA code, which holds the genetic code for nearly every biological molecule, can be used to direct the shape of gold nanoparticles. These tiny gold nanoparticles are of great significance in medicine, electronics and catalysis.
The research team led by Yi Lu, the Schenck Professor of Chemistry at the University of Illinois has published the result of its findings in the journal Angewandte Chemie. DNA-encoded nanoparticle synthesis produces nanoparticles with predictable shape and properties, which finds a lot of applications in our everyday lives such as catalysis, sensing, imaging and medicine.
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Gold nanoparticles possess unique physicochemical properties. The properties of gold nanoparticles are largely determined by its shape and size, hence the ability to control the shape of the gold nanoparticles plays a crucial role in designing it for a specific application.
Gold nanoparticles, are made by sewing tiny gold seeds in a solution of gold salt. Lu's team modified the process by incubating the gold seeds with short segments of DNA before adding the salt solution, which added shape to the nanoparticles. The four bases, made of DNA letters A, T, G and C and their combinations interact differently with facets of gold nanoseeds and hence impart the unique shape.
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The research team led by Yi Lu, the Schenck Professor of Chemistry at the University of Illinois has published the result of its findings in the journal Angewandte Chemie. DNA-encoded nanoparticle synthesis produces nanoparticles with predictable shape and properties, which finds a lot of applications in our everyday lives such as catalysis, sensing, imaging and medicine.
#-Link-Snipped-#
Gold nanoparticles possess unique physicochemical properties. The properties of gold nanoparticles are largely determined by its shape and size, hence the ability to control the shape of the gold nanoparticles plays a crucial role in designing it for a specific application.
Gold nanoparticles, are made by sewing tiny gold seeds in a solution of gold salt. Lu's team modified the process by incubating the gold seeds with short segments of DNA before adding the salt solution, which added shape to the nanoparticles. The four bases, made of DNA letters A, T, G and C and their combinations interact differently with facets of gold nanoseeds and hence impart the unique shape.
Source & Image Credit: #-Link-Snipped-#
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