Programmed Assembly of DNA-Coated Nanowire Devices
Thomas J. Morrow,1
Mingwei Li,2
Jaekyun Kim,2
Theresa S. Mayer,2*
Christine D. Keating1*
Combining biomolecular function with integrated circuit technology
could usher in a new era of biologically enabled electronics.
A key challenge has been coupling different molecular functions
to specific chip locations for communication with the circuit.
We used spatially confined electric fields to assemble different
populations of DNA-coated nanowires to desired positions with
an accuracy that enabled postassembly fabrication of contacts
to each individual nanowire, with high yield and without loss
of DNA function. This combination of off-chip synthesis and
biofunctionalization with high-density, heterogeneous assembly
and integration at the individual nanowire level points to new
ways of incorporating biological functionality with silicon
electronics.
2 Department of Electrical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: tsm2{at}psu.edu (T.S.M.); keating{at}chem.psu.edu (C.D.K.)
