Super-Resolution Optical Lithography with DNA

We developed an efficient, versatile, and accessible super-resolution microscopy method to construct a nanoparticle assembly at a spatial resolution below the optical diffraction limit. The method utilizes DNA and a photoactivated DNA cross-linker. Super-resolution optical techniques have been used...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nano letters 2019-09, Vol.19 (9), p.6035-6042
Main Authors: Kim, Shi Ho, Liu, Yu, Hoelzel, Conner, Zhang, Xin, Lee, Tae-Hee
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cross-Linking Reagents - chemistry
DNA - chemistry
DNA - radiation effects
Fluorescence
Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
Light
Microscopy, Fluorescence
Nanoparticles - chemistry
Nucleic Acid Conformation - radiation effects
Photic Stimulation
Single Molecule Imaging
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Summary:We developed an efficient, versatile, and accessible super-resolution microscopy method to construct a nanoparticle assembly at a spatial resolution below the optical diffraction limit. The method utilizes DNA and a photoactivated DNA cross-linker. Super-resolution optical techniques have been used only as a means to make measurements below the light diffraction limit. Furthermore, no optical technique is currently available to construct nanoparticle assemblies with a precisely designed shape and internal structure at a resolution of a few tens of nanometers (nm). Here we demonstrate that we can fulfill this deficiency by utilizing spontaneous structural dynamics of DNA hairpins combined with single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) microscopy and a photoactivated DNA cross-linker. The stochastic fluorescence blinking due to the spontaneous folding and unfolding motions of DNA hairpins enables us to precisely localize a folded hairpin and solidify it only when it is within a predesigned target area whose size is below the diffraction limit. As the method is based on an optical microscope and an easily clickable DNA cross-linking reagent, it will provide an efficient means to create large nanoparticle assemblies with a shape and internal structure at an optical super-resolution, opening a wide window of opportunities toward investigating their photophysical and optoelectronic properties and developing novel devices.
ISSN:1530-6984
1530-6992
DOI:10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b01873