DNA Release: Sharpening the Thermal Release of DNA from Nanoparticles: Towards a Sequential Release Strategy (Small 17/2013)

Two branched DNA structures with different stabilities are hybridized with DNA-modified gold nanoparticles. As J. A. Díaz and J. M. Gibbs-Davis report on page 2862, in contrast to linear DNA, these branched DNA structures dissociate over a narrow temperature window. Consequently, the less stable structure can be liberated from the surface of the gold nanoparticles, without dissociating the more stable branched DNA. With further heating this second structure can then be dissociated. Achieving such sharp thermal dissociation behavior of DNA from the surface of nanoparticles may find use in photothermal therapy or other applications where the sequential release of multiple DNA agents is required.