Controlling the temperature sensitivity of DNA-mediated colloidal interactions through competing linkages

Details Controlling the temperature sensitivity of DNA-mediated colloidal interactions through competing linkages Controlling the temperature sensitivity of DNA-mediated colloidal interactions through competing linkages

2012-01-29

arxiv.org/abs/1201.6025v1

Soft Matter, 2012, 8 (7), 2213 - 2221

Physics

Condensed Matter

Soft Condensed Matter

Scientific paper

We propose a new strategy to improve the self-assembly properties of DNA-functionalised colloids. The problem that we address is that DNA-functionalised colloids typically crystallize in a narrow temperature window, if at all. The underlying reason is the extreme sensitivity of DNA-mediated interactions to temperature or other physical control parameters. We propose to widen the window for colloidal crystallization by exploiting the competition between DNA linkages with different nucleotide sequences, which results in a temperature-dependent switching of the dominant bond type. Following such a strategy, we can decrease the temperature dependence of DNA-mediated self assembly to make systems that can crystallize in a wider temperature window than is possible with existing systems of DNA functionalised colloids. We report Monte Carlo simulations that show that the proposed strategy can indeed work in practice for real systems and specific, designable DNA sequences. Depending on the length ratio of the different DNA constructs, we find that the bond switching is either energetically driven (equal length or `symmetric' DNA) or controlled by a combinatorial entropy gain (`asymmetric' DNA), which results from the large number of possible binding partners for each DNA strand. We provide specific suggestions for the DNA sequences with which these effects can be achieved experimentally.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Controlling the temperature sensitivity of DNA-mediated colloidal interactions through competing linkages does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Controlling the temperature sensitivity of DNA-mediated colloidal interactions through competing linkages, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Controlling the temperature sensitivity of DNA-mediated colloidal interactions through competing linkages will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-379140