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M-DNA: a Self-Assembling Molecular Wire for Nanoelectronics and Biosensing

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Abstract

M-DNA is a complex between divalent metal ions such as Zn2+ and duplex DNA which forms at pH 8.5. Unlike B-DNA, M-DNA does not bind ethidium so that M-DNA formation can be monitored conveniently by an ethidium fluorescence assay. M-DNA was shown to be a better conductor than B-DNA by fluorometric measurements of electron transport in donor-acceptor labelled duplexes; by direct conductivity measurements of M-DNA bound between gold electrodes and by cyclic voltammetric studies on ferrocene labelled duplexes attached to gold microelectrodes. As is the case with B-DNA, M-DNA can self-assemble into a variety of structures and is anticipated to find widespread use in nanoelectronics and biosensing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, University of Saskatchewan, 107, Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada

    Shawn D. Wettig, Chen-Zhong Li, Yi-Tao Long & Jeremy S. Lee

  2. Department of Chemistry, University of Saskatchewan, 110, Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5C9, Canada

    Chen-Zhong Li, Yi-Tao Long & Heinz-Bernhard Kraatz

Authors
  1. Shawn D. Wettig
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  2. Chen-Zhong Li
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  3. Yi-Tao Long
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  4. Heinz-Bernhard Kraatz
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  5. Jeremy S. Lee
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Correspondence to Jeremy S. Lee.

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Wettig, S.D., Li, CZ., Long, YT. et al. M-DNA: a Self-Assembling Molecular Wire for Nanoelectronics and Biosensing. ANAL. SCI. 19, 23–26 (2003). https://doi.org/10.2116/analsci.19.23

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2116/analsci.19.23

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