Integrating DNA with Functional Nanomaterials

DNA may be the most versatile molecule discovered to date. Beyond its well-known central role in genetics, DNA has the potential to be a remarkably usefultechnological material. It has been demonstrated as a scaffold for the assemblyof organic and inorganic nanomaterials [1]; a vehicle for drug delivery [2]; amedium for computation [3]; and a possible wire for transporting electricalsignals [4]. A key factor in exploiting DNA in these ways is the ability tointegrate DNA with other materials. In this paper, we review two approachesto forming DNA complexes with functional nanomaterials: (1) linking DNAwith single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), which can then be used asnanoscale electrical contacts for probing electron transport in DNA; and (2)directed nanoassembly of Au nanoparticles using DNA/PNA (peptide nucleicacid) hybrid scaffolds.