Silver cluster emitters caged in DNA constructs

化学部的分析和表面化学（ASC）计划将支持加州大学圣巴巴拉的Elisabeth Gwinn教授和Deborah Fygenson教授的合作研究计划。 教授Gwinn和Fygenson以及他们的学生将研究由几个银原子组成的簇，这些原子稳定在人造的纳米级DNA笼中。这些研究的目标是利用设计的DNA链自组装提供的精致结构控制来创造具有笼选择光学和化学性质的微小光子发射器。在单分子水平上的光学表征，连同溶液荧光，质谱，电泳和建模将有助于这些荧光银簇-DNA分子，这是准备通过在DNA模板纳米器件的未来使用的影响技术的基本理解，并在探测DNA结构的构建在现有显微镜的分辨率以下的尺度。 参与这个跨学科研究项目的研究生和本科生将接受包括光学，化学，纳米技术和生物技术在内的先进技术的补充培训。 学生们还将参与当地公立学校的家庭科学之夜，在那里他们将使用有趣的动手活动，与他们的研究，以激发K-12学生对科学的兴趣。

The Analytical and Surface Chemistry (ASC) program of the Division of Chemistry will support the collaborative research program of Prof. Elisabeth Gwinn and Prof. Deborah Fygenson of the University of California, Santa Barbara. Profs. Gwinn and Fygenson and their students will study clusters composed of just a few silver atoms that are stabilized within artificial, nanometer-scale DNA cages. The goal of these studies is to use the exquisite structural control provided by self-assembly of designed DNA strands to create tiny photon emitters with cage-selected optical and chemical properties. Optical characterization at the single molecule level, together with solution fluorescence, mass spectroscopy, electrophoresis, and modeling will contribute to a fundamental understanding of these fluorescent silver cluster-DNA molecules, which are poised for impact on technology through future use in DNA-templated nanodevices and in probing the structure of DNA constructs at scales below the resolution of existing microscopies. The graduate and undergraduate students involved in this interdisciplinary research project will be trained in a complementary suite of advanced techniques that encompasses optics, chemistry, nanotechnology, and biotechnology. The students will also be involved in Family Science Nights at local public schools where they will use fun hands-on activities that tie to their research to inspire K-12 students' interest in science.