PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

John H Reif

Publications and source records attributed to John H Reif.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Three-helix bundle DNA tiles self-assemble into 2D lattice or 1D templates for silver nanowires.

We present a DNA nanostructure, the three-helix bundle (3HB), which consists of three double helical DNA domains connected by six immobile crossover junctions such that the helix axes are not coplanar. The 3HB motif presents a triangular cross-section with one helix lying in the groove formed by the other two. By differential programming of sticky-ends, 3HB tiles can be arrayed in two distinct lattice conformations: one-dimensional filaments and two-dimensional lattices. Filaments and lattices have been visualized by high-resolution, tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) under buffer. Their dimensions are shown to be in excellent agreement with designed structures. We also demonstrate an electroless chemical deposition for fabricating metallic nanowires templated on self-assembled filaments. The metallized nanowires have diameters down to 20 nm and display Ohmic current-voltage characteristic.

DNA↗

Programmable DNA self-assemblies for nanoscale organization of ligands and proteins.

We demonstrate the precise control of periodic spacing between individual protein molecules by programming the self-assembly of DNA tile templates. In particular, we report the application of two self-assembled periodic DNA structures, two-dimensional nanogrids, and one-dimensional nanotrack, as template for programmable self-assembly of streptavidin protein arrays with controlled density.

DNA↗

DNA-templated self-assembly of protein and nanoparticle linear arrays.

Self-assembling DNA tiling lattices represent a versatile system for nanoscale construction. Self-assembled DNA arrays provide an excellent template for spatially positioning other molecules with increased relative precision and programmability. Here we report an experiment using a linear array of DNA triple crossover tiles to controllably template the self-assembly of single-layer or double-layer linear arrays of streptavidin molecules and streptavidin-conjugated nanogold particles through biotin-streptavidin interaction. The organization of streptavidin and its conjugated gold nanoparticles into periodic arrays was visualized by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Biotin↗

DNA nanotubes self-assembled from triple-crossover tiles as templates for conductive nanowires.

DNA-based nanotechnology is currently being developed as a general assembly method for nanopatterned materials that may find use in electronics, sensors, medicine, and many other fields. Here we present results on the construction and characterization of DNA nanotubes, a self-assembling superstructure composed of DNA tiles. Triple-crossover tiles modified with thiol-containing double-stranded DNA stems projected out of the tile plane were used as the basic building blocks. Triple-crossover nanotubes display a constant diameter of approximately 25 nm and have been observed with lengths up to 20 microm. We present high-resolution images of the constructs, experimental evidence of their tube-like nature as well as data on metallization of the nanotubes to form nanowires, and electrical conductivity measurements through the nanowires. DNA nanotubes represent a potential breakthrough in the self-assembly of nanometer-scale circuits for electronics layout because they can be targeted to connect at specific locations on larger-scale structures and can subsequently be metallized to form nanometer-scale wires. The dimensions of these nanotubes are also perfectly suited for applications involving interconnection of molecular-scale devices with macroscale components fabricated by conventional photolithographic methods.

Base Sequence↗

Parallel molecular computations of pairwise exclusive-or (XOR) using DNA "string tile" self-assembly.

Self-assembling DNA nanostructures are an efficient means of executing parallel molecular computations. However, previous experimental demonstrations of computations by DNA tile self-assembly only allowed for one set of distinct input to be processed at a time. Here, we report the multibit, parallel computation of pairwise exclusive-or (XOR) using DNA "string tile" self-assembly. A set of DNA tiles encoding the truth table for the XOR logical operation was constructed. Parallel tile self-assembly and ligation led to the formation of reporter DNA strands which encoded both the input and the output of the computations. These reporter strands provided a molecular look-up table containing all possible pairwise XOR calculations up to a certain input size. The computation was readout by sequencing the cloned reporter strands. This is the first experimental demonstration of a parallel computation by DNA tile self-assembly in which a large number of distinct input were simultaneously processed.

DNA↗

DNA-templated self-assembly of protein arrays and highly conductive nanowires.

A DNA nanostructure consisting of four four-arm junctions oriented with a square aspect ratio was designed and constructed. Programmable self-assembly of 4 x 4 tiles resulted in two distinct lattice morphologies: uniform-width nanoribbons and two-dimensional nanogrids, which both display periodic square cavities. Periodic protein arrays were achieved by templated self-assembly of streptavidin onto the DNA nanogrids containing biotinylated oligonucleotides. On the basis of a two-step metallization procedure, the 4 x 4 nanoribbons acted as an excellent scaffold for the production of highly conductive, uniform-width, silver nanowires.

Biotinylation↗

Directed nucleation assembly of DNA tile complexes for barcode-patterned lattices.

The programmed self-assembly of patterned aperiodic molecular structures is a major challenge in nanotechnology and has numerous potential applications for nanofabrication of complex structures and useful devices. Here we report the construction of an aperiodic patterned DNA lattice (barcode lattice) by a self-assembly process of directed nucleation of DNA tiles around a scaffold DNA strand. The input DNA scaffold strand, constructed by ligation of shorter synthetic oligonucleotides, provides layers of the DNA lattice with barcode patterning information represented by the presence or absence of DNA hairpin loops protruding out of the lattice plane. Self-assembly of multiple DNA tiles around the scaffold strand was shown to result in a patterned lattice containing barcode information of 01101. We have also demonstrated the reprogramming of the system to another patterning. An inverted barcode pattern of 10010 was achieved by modifying the scaffold strands and one of the strands composing each tile. A ribbon lattice, consisting of repetitions of the barcode pattern with expected periodicity, was also constructed by the addition of sticky ends. The patterning of both classes of lattices was clearly observable via atomic force microscopy. These results represent a step toward implementation of a visual readout system capable of converting information encoded on a 1D DNA strand into a 2D form readable by advanced microscopic techniques. A functioning visual output method would not only increase the readout speed of DNA-based computers, but may also find use in other sequence identification techniques such as mutation or allele mapping.

Base Sequence↗