Methods to Characterize the Oligonucleotide Functionalization of Quantum Dots

Abstract

Currently, DNA nanotechnology offers the most programmable, scalable, and accurate route for the self-assembly of matter with nanometer precision into 1, 2, or 3D structures. One example is DNA origami that is well suited to serve as a molecularly defined "breadboard", and thus, to organize various nanomaterials such as nanoparticles into hybrid systems. Since the controlled assembly of quantum dots (QDs) is of high interest in the field of photonics and other optoelectronic applications, a more detailed view on the functionalization of QDs with oligonucleotides shall be achieved. In this work, four different methods are presented to characterize the functionalization of thiol-capped cadmium telluride QDs with oligonucleotides and for the precise quantification of the number of oligonucleotides bound to the QD surface. This study enables applications requiring the self-assembly of semiconductor-oligonucleotide hybrid materials and proves the conjugation success in a simple and straightforward manner.

Keywords: DNA nanotechnology; PL quenching; bioconjugation; gel electrophoresis; quantum dots.