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DNA Origami-Mediated Substrate Nanopatterning of Inorganic Structures for Sensing Applications
Published on: September 27, 2019
Stepwise functionalization of ZnO nanotips with DNA
Olena Taratula1, Elena Galoppini, Richard Mendelsohn
1Department of Chemistry, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 73 Warren Street, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|February 10, 2009
Summary
A new method functionalizes zinc oxide (ZnO) nanotips for biosensors. This surface modification enables integration with microelectronics and bulk acoustic wave (BAW) biosensors for advanced diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Developing sensitive biosensors requires robust surface functionalization for biomolecule integration.
- Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanotips offer a promising platform for biosensing due to their unique electronic and piezoelectric properties.
- Integration with microelectronics and bulk acoustic wave (BAW) biosensors necessitates precise surface modification strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a surface functionalization methodology for ZnO nanotips.
- To enable the integration of ZnO nanotips with microelectronics and BAW biosensors.
- To create a versatile platform for immobilizing single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) for biosensing applications.
Main Methods:
- Functionalization of MOCVD-grown ZnO nanotip films using two types of bifunctional C16 carboxylic acids (16-(2-pyridyldithiol)hexadecanoic acid and N-(15-carboxypentadecanoyloxy)succinimide).
- Covalent linkage of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) with either thiol (SH-ssDNA) or amino (NH2-ssDNA) modifications to the functionalized ZnO nanotips.
- Hybridization of DNA-functionalized ZnO nanotip films with fluorescein-tagged complementary ssDNA.
- Characterization of surface modifications using FT-IR-ATR, fluorescence emission spectroscopy, and fluorescence microscopy.
Main Results:
- Successful sequential surface functionalization of ZnO nanotip films with ssDNA was achieved.
- The functionalization strategy allowed for the covalent attachment of DNA via distinct linker chemistries.
- Characterization confirmed the successful immobilization of DNA and subsequent hybridization with fluorescently tagged complementary DNA.
Conclusions:
- A robust surface functionalization methodology for ZnO nanotips was established.
- This approach facilitates the integration of ZnO nanotips with microelectronic and BAW biosensor platforms.
- The developed strategy is adaptable for immobilizing various biomolecules, paving the way for diverse biosensing applications.

