Design and optical trapping of a biocompatible propeller-like nanoscale hybrid.

ABSTRACT: Designing nanoscale objects with the potential to perform externally controlled motion in biological environments is one of the most sought-after objectives in nanotechnology. Different types of chemically and physically powered motors have been prepared at the macro- and microscale. However, the preparation of nanoscale objects with a complex morphology, and the potential for light-driven motion has remained elusive to date. Here, we go a step forward by designing a nanoscale hybrid with a propeller-resembling shape, which can be controlled by focused light under biological conditions. Our hybrid, hereafter "Au@DNA-origami", consists of a spherical gold nanoparticle with self-assembled, biocompatible, two-dimensional (2D) DNA sheets on its surface. As a first step toward the potential uti

SUBMITTER: Do J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3816274 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature