The design and formation of a linear assembly of gold nanorods using a biomolecular recognition system are described. Anti-mouse IgG was immobilized on the {111} end faces of gold nanorods through a thioctic acid containing a terminal carboxyl group. The biofunctionalized nanorods can be assembled with the desired length using mouse IgG for biorecognition and binding. The gold nanorods can be assembled to extended nanorod chains, which can be as long as 3 microm. These assembled nanostructures may be used as the precursors for future nanodevices.