According to a recent report by the Physicist Organization Network, scientists at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, part of the U.S. Department of Energy, have created a DNA "connector" that can link nanorods together like a rope, forming a structure resembling a ladder. This innovative assembly method uses DNA strands as molecular ropes, enabling the creation of new types of nanofibers with customizable properties. The research was published in *ACS Nano*, a journal by the American Chemical Society.
DNA molecules are well-known for carrying genetic information in living organisms. By using synthetic DNA as a molecular scaffold, researchers can guide the self-assembly of nanoparticles. When DNA strands contain complementary base pairs, they act like ropes, pulling nanoparticles together. If the bases don’t match, the connection is prevented. Precisely controlling this attraction and repulsion is a complex task in nanoscale engineering.
In their latest study, the team used gold nanorods and single-stranded DNA to create a new type of linkage between adjacent nanorods. They tested various combinations and observed how different configurations affected the final structure. Using advanced techniques such as ultraviolet spectrometry, X-ray scattering from a synchrotron light source, and electron microscopy, they were able to track the entire assembly process in detail.
The results showed that during the initial stage, nanorods arranged themselves in a rope-like ladder structure. These ladders then stacked on top of each other, eventually forming larger 3D structures through DNA bridges. This multi-step assembly process, known as hierarchical self-assembly, is similar to how biological systems work—like amino acids linking into long chains that fold into functional proteins.
Interestingly, the stepwise nature of this assembly means it can be halted at any stage. The researchers demonstrated that by introducing DNA "blocks," they could prevent further stacking and instead form linear ribbon-like structures. This opens up new possibilities for designing specific nanostructures without unwanted aggregation.
This unique "rope ladder" configuration arises from breaking the natural symmetry of the nanorods. According to Brooke Haiwen, a physicist and co-author of the study, "This is a novel self-assembly mechanism, not just a mimicry of existing systems. It allows us to interrupt the assembly at the ladder stage and create linear fibers with desired properties—such as controlling fluorescence or gene expression. This could lead to applications like nano-concentrators or optical switches that can be turned on and off as needed."
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