colloidal particles

November 1, 2012

Preparation of colloidal particles with DNA-functionalized patches having well-defined symmetries. A four-patch particle is shown as an example. 1, A cluster of four amidinated polystyrene microspheres, prepared by the method of ref. 5, is swollen with styrene such that the extremities of the cluster—a tetrahedron in this case— protrude from the styrene droplet. The styrene is then polymerized and the protrusions from the original cluster become patches. 2, Biotin is sitespecifically functionalized on the patches. 3, Biotinated DNA oligomers are introduced and bind to the particle patches via a biotin–streptavidin–biotin linkage