Researchers at Purdue University have attached magnetic nanoparticles to DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and then cut these "DNA wires" into pieces, offering the promise of creating low-cost, self-assembling devices for future computers.

DNA has an overall negative charge, so it might be used in a process called self-assembly to create electronic devices. When placed in a solution with magnetic particles that have a positive charge, the particles are automatically attracted to the DNA strands, which act as tiny scaffolds for creating wires.

Other researchers have "metalized" DNA by coating it with copper, gold, and platinum, but, according to the Purdue researcherus, no other researchers have coated DNA and then cut the strands into smaller pieces using a "restriction enzyme," a class of enzyme that causes DNA to fragment.

Part A of this graphic shows a procedure for "templating" magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles onto DNA and stretching the DNA using a technique called molecular combing. Part B is an image taken with an atomic force microscope that shows a DNA strand coated with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. (Purdue University, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering)

Because magnetic components are essential for today's computer memory, the findings represent potential future applications for DNA-based structures in computers created with molecular electronics, in which biological molecules might be harnessed to create devices for computers, sensors, and other uses. Self-assembly might be used in the future to create electronic devices at lower cost than is possible with conventional manufacturing processes.

The researchers had previously developed a technique for precisely placing strands of DNA on a silicon chip and then stretching out the strands so that their encoded information might be read more clearly. The current work builds on that previous research.

Find out more at: https://engineering.purdue.edu/BME/News/