Metallized DNA

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Metallic nanoparticles have garnered significant attention due to their unique optical properties, particularly their ability to absorb visible light through plasmonic oscillations of conducting electrons. The resonance frequency of these nanoparticles is influenced by factors such as size, shape, and the dielectric constant of their surrounding medium. DNA, known for its exceptional recognition capabilities and ease of modification, serves as a promising template for synthesizing nanoparticles with precise shapes, sizes, and interparticle spacing. This study employs two methods to deposit silver on oligonucleotides ranging from 23 to 96 base pairs, aiming to create metallic nanorods with controlled aspect ratios. The first method involves labeling nucleotides with aldehyde groups, followed by treatment with a Tollens reagent and developer. The second method utilizes photoinduced silver deposition on unmodified DNA. Various preparation parameters, including DNA sequence, buffer salt type, silver concentration, and UV illumination time, are systematically varied. The resulting metallized DNA molecules are analyzed for their optical and structural properties, revealing plasmon peaks around 420nm in absorption spectra. Dynamic Light Scattering provides insights into particle sizes and structural asymmetry, while both optical techniques track the growth of nanoparticles during the Tollens metallization process. Atomic Force Micros