Metal nanoparticle-functionalized DNA tweezers: From mechanically programmed nanostructures to switchable fluorescence properties

Simcha Shimron, Alessandro Cecconello, Chun Hua Lu, Itamar Willner*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Scopus citations

Abstract

DNA tweezers are modified with two 10-nm sized Au NPs and one 5-nm sized Au NP. Upon treatment of the tweezers with fuel and antifuel nucleic acid strands, the switchable closure and opening of the tweezers proceed, leading to the control of programmed nanostructures of the tethered NPs. The tweezers are further modified with a single 10-nm sized nanoparticle, and a fluorophore unit (Cy3), positioned at different distinct sites of the tweezers. The reversible and cyclic fluorescence quenching or fluorescence enhancement phenomena, upon the dynamic opening/closure of the different tweezers, are demonstrated.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3791-3795
Number of pages5
JournalNano Letters
Volume13
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 14 Aug 2013

Keywords

  • DNA
  • fluorescence
  • machine
  • nanoparticle
  • plasmon
  • switch

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Metal nanoparticle-functionalized DNA tweezers: From mechanically programmed nanostructures to switchable fluorescence properties'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this