Precise Control Over Nanoparticle Cluster Formation

The ability to control the size and composition of nanoparticle clusters paves the way for their manufacture and application.

AsianScientist (Dec. 11, 2014) – Researchers have used DNA-binding zinc finger proteins to develop a manufacturing technique for size-controllable magnetic nanoparticle clusters (NPCs). This research has been published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition.

NPCs are structures consisting of magnetic nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles and quantum dots, each of which are smaller than 100 nm (10-9m). Due to their unique physical and optical properties that are not seen in single nanoparticles, NPCs have attracted the attention of scientists in biological and medical research as well as those working on nanoelectric and nanoplasmon devices.

To make use of the novel properties of NPCs, the size and the composition of the cluster must be exquisitely controlled. However, previous techniques relied on chemical binding which required complex steps, making it difficult to control the size and composition of NPCs.

In the present study led by Professor Kim Hak-Sung of the Department of Biological Sciences at KAIST and Ryu Yiseul, a doctoral candidate, the research team used the sequence specificity of DNA binding zinc finger proteins to control the formation of NPCs. The bio-friendly technique allows exquisite control over the size and composition of clusters.

Kim’s team created linear structure of different sizes of NPCs using Zinc Finger proteins and three DNA sequences of different lengths. The NPCs they produced confirmed their ability to control the size and structure of the cluster by using different DNA lengths.

Transmission electron microscopy images showing different sizes of NPCs depending on the length of the DNA. Credit: KAIST.
Transmission electron microscopy images showing different sizes of NPCs depending on the length of the DNA. Credit: KAIST.

Using magnetic NPCs generated by the zinc finger method, the researchers were able to target cultured cells overexpressing the folate receptor, demonstrating the potential use of NPCs in magnetic resonance imaging, fluorescence imaging and drug transport.

The article can be found at: Ryu et al. (2014) Size-Controlled Construction of Magnetic Nanoparticle Clusters Using DNA-Binding Zinc Finger Protein.

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Source: KAIST.
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