DNA mediated sequential self-assembly of nano/micro components

A novel sequential self-assembly process of nano/micro components applying deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hybridization was proposed for the first time and its validity was experimentally verified. In the proposed process, characteristics of DNA, such as hybridization specificity of complementary pairs of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) into a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), and the dependence of hybridization on ambient temperature (melting temperature T
_m
) plays a key role. These characteristics of DNA can be designed and synthesized by base-pair sequence of DNA. Three types of self-assembly experiments using two types of ssDNA with different T
_m
(65degC and 50degC) were carried out; 1.) between Au nanoparticles, 2.) between Au nanoparticle and Au coated substrate, and 3.) between silicon micro components (5times5times3 mum
³
) and Au coated substrate. Through these experiments, it was successfully verified that the sequence of the self-assembly can be controlled by controlling the ambient temperature. The reversibility of this process was also confirmed. However, the silicon micro components assembly on Au coated substrate was not confirmed.