DNA-Protected Silver Clusters for Atomically Precise Nanophotonics and Wiring

该项目的重点是由10-30个银原子组成的微小粒子，这些粒子被DNA链包裹起来。这些银色的“星团”发光的颜色取决于它们的大小和细长的形状，这是由包裹在星团周围的DNA序列决定的。该项目试图在新型纳米尺度的dna材料中控制决定颜色的簇几何形状，这种材料采用银簇来操纵光线。潜在的应用范围从DNA周围分子事件的集群信号，到红外组织窗口的生物成像，到疾病相关DNA的传感。此外，这项研究的目标是开发一种技术，将银簇合并成DNA“支架”上的连接模式，用于开发纳米级天线和布线，以感知甚至操纵对生命重要的生物分子事件。通过开发相关的“迷你课堂”，为参加加州大学圣巴巴拉分校科学思想学院周六会议的高中生提供演讲，促进了更广泛的科学和技术参与。来自加州社区学院（CCC）的转学生被寻求参与研究，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支架来排列DNA稳定银团簇的多色组件，“AgN-DNA”，距离低于10纳米。通过高效液相色谱和高分辨率质谱（MS）鉴定成分的技术，努力实现更长，红外AgN-DNA。通过将AgN-DNA中较长的银簇棒锚定在选择几何形状的DNA支架上，寻求实现DNA支架更精细、图案化的方法。银阳离子Ag+与DNA碱基的关键相互作用的理解是通过对精选DNA寡聚物的质谱研究和与国际合作者进行的先进量子化学计算的比较而发展起来的。针对高中生的迷你课堂将在加州大学圣巴巴拉分校的科学思想学院举行。此外，来自加州社区学院（CCC）的转学生也被邀请参与研究，并特别努力接触到代表性不足的学生。

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.