Fluorescent DNA Nanostructures for Applications in Sensors and Imaging

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Fluorescent DNA Nanostructures for Applications
in Sensors and Imaging Bruce A. Armitage, PI
(Carnegie Mellon University)
Nanostructured DNA assemblies such as the
four-way junction (4WJ) shown above provide a
template for the synthesis of multichromophore
arrays of fluorescent intercalating dyes.
Modification of the DNA with alkyne groups
allows reaction with dyes bearing azides,
resulting in covalent attachment of the dyes to
the DNA scaffold. These nanotags will be used
as bright fluorescent labels for biological
imaging and sensing applications. The microscope
image shown beneath the graphic illustrates
labeling of polymer microspheres with DNA
nanotags in which the color is altered using
different energy acceptor dyes.