Single-molecule cut-and-paste surface assembly

Science. 2008 Feb 1;319(5863):594-6. doi: 10.1126/science.1151424.

Abstract

We introduce a method for the bottom-up assembly of biomolecular structures that combines the precision of the atomic force microscope (AFM) with the selectivity of DNA hybridization. Functional units coupled to DNA oligomers were picked up from a depot area by means of a complementary DNA strand bound to an AFM tip. These units were transferred to and deposited on a target area to create basic geometrical structures, assembled from units with different functions. Each of these cut-and-paste events was characterized by single-molecule force spectroscopy and single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. Transport and deposition of more than 5000 units were achieved, with less than 10% loss in transfer efficiency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Pairing
  • Biotin
  • DNA* / chemistry
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / instrumentation*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization*
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides*

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
  • Biotin
  • DNA