DNA-Protected Silver Clusters for Atomically Precise Nanophotonics and Wiring

该项目的重点是由DNA链包裹的10-30个银原子的微小颗粒。这些银“簇”发出的颜色是由它们的大小和细长的形状决定的，而这些形状是由包裹在簇周围的DNA序列决定的。该项目旨在控制颜色决定簇几何形状的新型纳米尺度，DNA为基础的材料，采用银簇来操纵光。潜在的应用范围从DNA周围分子事件的集群信号，到红外组织窗口中的生物成像，再到疾病相关DNA的传感。此外，该研究旨在开发将银簇合并到由DNA构建的“支架”上的连接图案中的技术，以开发纳米级天线和布线，以感测甚至操纵对生命重要的生物分子事件。通过开发相关的“微型课程”，向参加加州大学圣巴巴拉分校科学思想学院星期六课程的高中生介绍，促进了对科学和技术的更广泛参与。加州社区学院（CCC）的转学生被邀请参与这项研究，并特别努力接触代表性不足的学生。该项目旨在开发原子精确的金属团簇光子学，使用DNA支架将DNA稳定的银团簇“AgN-DNA”以低于10 nm的间距排列在一起。实现更长的红外AgN-DNA的努力建立在通过高效液相色谱法与高分辨率质谱法（MS）一起鉴定组成的技术上。通过将AgN-DNA中的较长银簇棒以选择的几何形状锚定到DNA支架上的方法来寻求实现DNA支架的更精细的图案化金属化的方法。银阳离子，Ag+，与DNA碱基的关键相互作用的理解是通过选择DNA低聚物的质谱研究和国际合作者进行的先进的量子化学计算的比较。 加州大学圣巴巴拉分校的科学思想学院将为高中生提供迷你课程。此外，来自加州社区学院（CCC）的转学生也被邀请参加这项研究，并特别努力接触代表性不足的学生。

The project focuses on tiny particles of 10-30 silver atoms that are encapsulated by strands of DNA. These silver 'clusters' glow in colors set by their size and elongated shapes, which are determined by the sequence of the DNA that wraps around the cluster. The project seeks to control the color-determining cluster geometries within new types of nanometer scale, DNA-based materials that employ silver clusters to manipulate light. Potential applications range from cluster signaling of molecular events around the DNA, to biological imaging in the infrared tissue window, to sensing of disease-related DNA. Additionally, the research aims to develop techniques for merging silver clusters into connected patterns on 'scaffolds' built from DNA, for development of nanoscale antennas and wiring to sense and perhaps even manipulate biomolecular events important to life. Broader participation in science and technology is promoted by development of related 'miniclasses' for presentation to high school students who attend the Saturday sessions of the University of California-Santa Barbara's School for Scientific Thought. Transfer students from California Community Colleges (CCC) are sought to participate in the research, with special efforts to reach underrepresented students.The project aims to develop atomically precise metal cluster photonics using DNA scaffolds to arrange multicolor assemblies of DNA-stabilized silver clusters, 'AgN-DNA', at separations below 10 nm. Efforts to achieve longer, infrared AgN-DNA build on techniques for identifying composition via high-performance liquid chromatography together with high resolution mass spectrometry (MS). Methods to achieve finer, patterned metallization of DNA scaffolds are sought through the approach of anchoring longer silver cluster rods in AgN-DNA onto DNA scaffolds in select geometries. Understanding of the key interactions of silver cations, Ag+, with DNA bases is developed through mass spectroscopic studies of select DNA oligomers and comparison to advanced quantum chemical calculations carried out by international collaborators. Miniclasses for high school students will be presented at the University of California-Santa Barbara's School for Scientific Thought. In addition, transfer students from California Community Colleges (CCC) are sought to participate in the research, with special efforts to reach underrepresented students.