Researchers Use DNA Linkers to Assemble Nanostructures

Researchers at the Institute for Nanoscience and Engineering, University of Arkansas have established that controlling DNA linkers to assemble nanostructures could lead to the development of new materials that can be used in a broad variety of applications such as tissue engineering and electronics.

DNA linkers are the specific areas in nanoparticles that can be used to connect to other nanoparticles. The research puts forward a strategy to manipulate the orientation, placement and number of the DNA linkers to develop new building blocks paving the way for a new material. DNA linkers are connected through a hybrid reaction and DNA strands are connected to the nanoparticle one after the other wherein the previous strand becomes the foundation material for the next strand. Connecting DNA through this method helps in building complex nanostructures in all dimensions, scales and shapes.

The building blocks which are built in this manner are called the nBLOCKs. Upon testing the nBLOCKs under volatile conditions, they appeared to be chemically stable and water soluble and showed no physical or chemical changes when stored at 4°C for a month. Researchers added that this method can be used on all types of nanoparticles since the desired nanostructures could be developed by using the DNA linkers. The agricultural division of the University of Arkansas, the Arkansas Biosciences Institute and the National Science Foundation are supporting this multi-disciplinary research.