Electronic transport in DNA-based single molecular devices

该计划的目标是创建DNA单分子结器件，并在应用最近开发的单分子分子输运结（MTJ）系统的一些变量的精确控制下测量其机电性能。 本计画将结合理论计算与模拟，阐明分子结构相关电导行为的内在输运机制，并搜集有关单DNA结器件中电荷输运增强与调控的重要结论，其智慧价值在于发展一个综合的方法，利用电子工程，化学和物理学在DNA单分子结器件的发展和控制和测量变量，包括DNA-电极接触和丰富多样的DNA结构所造成的弯曲，取向和水和抗衡离子的条件，在单分子水平上。AFM纳米光刻和改进的基于SPM的MTJ技术将实现新的测量方法。这项工作将有助于深入了解DNA单分子连接中的电子输运，并为将DNA分子作为功能元件纳入电子器件迈出重要一步。更广泛的影响是本科生，少数民族，通过各种招聘计划，高中生可以在新兴的跨学科领域研究机会，以培养下一代科学家和工程师。在与DNA损伤和突变相关的自然生理条件下，通过单个DNA分子器件测量和理解电子输运将具有从电子、生物医学、环境到人类健康的应用范围。

The objective of this program is to create DNA single molecule junction devices and measure their electromechanical properties under precise controls of a number of variables applying the recent developed single molecule molecular transport junction (MTJ) system. In combination of theory computation and modeling, this project will elucidate the intrinsic transport mechanisms of molecular structure-dependent conductance behaviors and gleaning important conclusions regarding the enhancement and tuning of charge transport in single DNA junction devices.The intellectual merit is to develop a comprehensive approach that utilizes electrical engineering, chemistry and physics in the development of DNA single molecule junction devices and control and measure the variables, including DNA-electrode contact and a rich variety of structures of DNA caused by bending, orientations and water and counterions conditions, at the single molecular level. AFM nanolithography and modified SPM-based MTJ technique will enable a new measurement approach. The proposed work is expected to gain a detailed and in-depth understanding of electronic transport in DNA single molecule junctions and provide a major step towards the incorporation of DNA molecules as functional elements in electronic devices.The broader impacts are the participation of undergraduate, minority, and high school students to research opportunities in the emerging interdisciplinary fields through various recruiting programs to train the next generation scientists and engineers. The measurement and understanding of electronic transport through single DNA molecular devices under the native physiological conditions relevant to the damage and mutation in DNA will have applications ranging from electronic, biomedical, environmental to human health.