Simple quantitative model for the reversible association of DNA coated colloids

Phys Rev Lett. 2009 Jan 30;102(4):048301. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.048301. Epub 2009 Jan 27.

Abstract

We investigate the reversible association of micrometer-sized colloids coated with complementary single-stranded DNA "sticky ends" as a function of the temperature and the sticky end coverage. We find that even a qualitative description of the dissociation transition curves requires the inclusion of an entropic cost. We develop a simple general model for this cost in terms of the configurational entropy loss due to binding and confinement of the tethered DNA between neighboring particles. With this easy-to-use model, we demonstrate for different kinds of DNA constructs quantitative control over the dissociation temperature and the sharpness of the dissociation curve, both essential properties for complex self-assembly processes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Colloids / chemistry*
  • DNA, Single-Stranded / chemistry*
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • Polystyrenes / chemistry
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Colloids
  • DNA, Single-Stranded
  • Polystyrenes