DNA-based molecular nano-wires

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DNA-based molecular nano-wires

22 Jul 2005 Medical News Today

An international consortium of 7 universities and research centres

are seeking an alternative to silicon-based microelectronics in using

molecules of DNA, which could enable a reduction in size of the

current systems by a thousand times. The University of the Basque

Country (UPV/EHU) is participating in this project through the

research group led by Professor Ángel Rubio Secades of the Department

of Materials Physics.

The really innovative nature of this project lies, on the one hand,

in the use of all the recognition and self-assembly potential of

biological systems, more specifically, using derivatives of DNA such

as G4-DNA, M-DNA and PC-DNA with a greater electronic potential than

DNA itself (which is by itself an insulator).

On the other, it lies in carrying out studies in surface chemistry

combined with scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and spectroscopy, the

measurement of electrical transport, sophisticated nano-manufacture

and theoretical studies of the computational simulation of the

stability and properties of synthesised devices and/or motivating new

structures that might have a greater potential. In this way the

manner of designing nano-wires using these molecular derivatives is

being developed.

As is the way of controlling the interaction between the molecular

electrode and the molecular substrate, seeking a deep understanding

of the energy conduction mechanisms of these nano-wires and being

able to produce models of nanomolecular devices based on these DNA

derivatives.

Elhuyar Fundazioa

http://www.basqueresearch.com