The DNA nucleoside deoxyguanosine (DG) is being used as an alternative to conventional semiconductor material in experimental photodetectors.

Ross Rinaldi and coworkers at the National Nanotechnology Laboratory of the Instituto Nazionale per la Fisica della Materia in Italy placed DG nucleosides dissolved in chloroform at the juncture of two electrodes. The DG molecules self-assembled into an array of ribbon-like structures between the electrodes.

The DG-based photodetectors are roughly twice as sensitive to light as commercially available detectors, and are potentially both cheap and simple to manufacture using conventional semiconductor fabrication techniques.

Semiconducting properties of biomolecular compounds like DG may lead to other electrical components; eventually, individual biomolecules may replace entire doped semiconductors sections in some devices.

(Rinaldi et al, Applied Physics Letters, 28 May 2001)