Method for self-assembly of arbitrary metal patterns on DNA scaffolds

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for self-assembly of arbitrarily-shaped metal nanostructures using specifically-designed patterns on nucleic acid scaffolds. The methods involve using the nucleic acid scaffolds as templates on which a second material patterned, as seed nuclei. The patterns are then selectively plated with metal using an electro-less plating process to create arbitrarily-shaped metal nanostructures that are not constrained by the structure of the scaffold. The methods herein use controlled-growth processes to actively select the dimensions, positions, and alignments of the patterns to create different arbitrary shapes of metal nanostructures.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for assembly of arbitrarily-shaped metal nanostructures, the method comprising acts of:
 fabricating a scaffold;   patterning a first material on a scaffold; and   plating a metal on the first material whereby an arbitrarily-shaped metal nanostructure is created based on a pattern formed by the first material on the scaffold and whereby the metal nanostructure is not constrained by a shape of the scaffold itself.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the scaffold is fabricated from a material selected from a group consisting of a plurality of nucleic acids, DNA origami, DNA ribbons, two-dimensional DNA crystals, and three-dimensional DNA constructions. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of nucleic acids is selected from a group consisting of a charged nucleic acid strands, an uncharged nucleic acid strands, DNA, PNA, RNA, LNA, chemically modified DNA, nucleoside analogues, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the act of plating comprises an electro-less plating process. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first material comprises a single-stranded material selected from a group consisting of single-stranded forms of DNA, RNA, LNA, PNA, a nucleoside analogue, a polymer, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the act of patterning the first material on the scaffold further comprises an act of attaching the first material with the scaffold so that the first material projects from the scaffold. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first material has a first end and second end, and wherein the act of attaching the first material to the scaffold comprises an attachment mechanism selected from a group consisting of attaching the first end of the first material with the scaffold, attaching the first end and the second end of the first material with the scaffold, and a combination thereof, whereby a plurality of conformations of the first material are projected from the scaffold. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of conformations is selected from a group consisting of single open strands, loops, closed rings, a series of interlocking rings, and locked knotted topologies. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the electro-less plating process further comprises using a 2+ cationic solution whereby the solution blocks the plating of metal on the scaffold and thereby allows plating of metal on the first material. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the method further comprises an act of placing the scaffold on a negatively charged surface. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first material is a nanowire. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first material comprises a plurality of nanoparticles. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the nanoparticle further comprises a nucleic acid strand, wherein the nucleic acid strand further comprises a linker, whereby the linker will bind to a complementary nucleic acid pattern on the scaffold. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the act of fabricating the scaffold further comprises the act of incorporating a plurality of nanoparticle attachment linker sites on the scaffold. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of nanoparticle attachment linker sites is selected from a group consisting of biotin, primary amines, thiols, and commercially-available nanoparticle attachment linker sites. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the act of patterning the first material on the scaffold further comprises the act of attaching the first material with the plurality of nanoparticle attachment linker sites. 
     
     
         17 . An arbitrarily-shaped metal nanostructure formed according to the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A method for assembly of arbitrarily-shaped metal nanostructures, the method comprising acts of:
 fabricating a DNA scaffold;   selecting a sequence-specific DNA hook projecting from the DNA scaffold;   fabricating a single-stranded DNA lantern strand;   attaching one or more single-stranded DNA lantern strands with two or more sequence-specific DNA hooks projecting from the DNA scaffold; and   plating a metal on the single stranded DNA lantern strand whereby an arbitrarily-shaped metal nanostructure may be created based on a pattern formed by the nanoparticles attached with the single-stranded DNA lantern strands and whereby the metal nanostructure is not constrained by a shape of the scaffold itself.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the single-stranded DNA lantern strand further comprises one or more nanoparticle attachment linker sites. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the acts of:
 attaching one or more nanoparticles with the nanoparticle attachment linker sites; and   plating a metal on the nanoparticles whereby an arbitrarily-shaped metal nanostructure may be created based on a pattern formed by the nanoparticles attached with the nanoparticle attachment linker sites and whereby the metal nanostructure is not constrained by the shape of the scaffold itself.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the acts of:
 attaching one or more nanowires with the nanoparticle attachment linker sites; and   plating a metal on the nanowires whereby an arbitrarily-shaped metal nanostructure may be created based on a pattern formed by the nanowires attached with the nanoparticle attachment linker sites and whereby the metal nanostructure is not constrained by the shape of the scaffold itself.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the scaffold is fabricated by a material selected from a group consisting of a plurality of nucleic acids, DNA origami, DNA ribbons, two-dimensional DNA crystals, and three-dimensional DNA constructions. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of nucleic acids is selected from a group consisting of a charged nucleic acid strands, an uncharged nucleic acid strands, DNA, PNA, RNA, LNA, chemically modified DNA, nucleoside analogues, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the act of plating comprises an electro-less plating process. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the nanoparticle attachment linker site is selected from a group consisting of biotin, primary amines, thiols, and commercially-available nanoparticle attachment linker sites.