Abstract
Hybrids of DNA and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising nanobioconjugates for nanobiosensors, carriers for drug delivery, and other biological applications. In this review, nanoscopic characterization of DNA-CNT hybrids, in particular, characterization by scanning probe microscopy (SPM), is summarized. In many studies, topographical imaging by atomic force microscopy has been performed. However, some researchers have demonstrated advanced SPM operations in order to maximize its unique and valuable functions. Such sophisticated approaches are attractive and will have a significant impact on future studies of DNA-CNT hybrids.
Highlights
Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) has become one of the most popular methods for the nanoscopic characterization of various materials [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11]
We present several examples of atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging of DNA-carbon nanotubes (CNTs) hybrids
Nii et al demonstrated the reaction of single-stranded DNA-binding (SSB) proteins with ssDNA-single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) and double stranded DNA (dsDNA)-SWNT hybrids, and discussed SSB binding using the height analysis of AFM images [41]
Summary
Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) has become one of the most popular methods for the nanoscopic characterization of various materials [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11]. AFM imaging is routinely used to characterize DNA-CNT hybrids. Palma et al prepared connected SWNT hybrids with DNA molecules including Y-shaped end-to-end SWNT junctions, and precisely characterized the length of the hybrids by AFM cross-section analysis [33]. Nii et al demonstrated the reaction of single-stranded DNA-binding (SSB) proteins with ssDNA-SWNT and dsDNA-SWNT hybrids, and discussed SSB binding using the height analysis of AFM images [41]. Campbell et al attached quantum dots to DNA-CNT hybrids, and confirmed quantum dot attachment by height and width analysis based on AFM observations [42]. They succeeded in observing 14nm pitch iNnanhoemlaitceraiallstu20r1n6,s6., 180. STM has great potential as a valuable tool in the study of DNA-CNT hybrids
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