Theoretical description of a DNA-linked nanoparticle self-assembly

TL;DR

This paper develops a theoretical framework for understanding the equilibrium behavior, dynamics, and self-assembly kinetics of DNA-linked nanoparticles, validated by molecular modeling comparisons.

Contribution

It introduces a novel theoretical approach based on polymer physics to describe DNA-linked nanoparticle self-assembly processes.

Findings

Strong agreement between theory and molecular modeling

Effective description of equilibrium clustering and dynamics

Insights into self-assembly kinetics

Abstract

Nanoparticles tethered with DNA strands are promising building blocks for bottom-up nanotechnology, and a theoretical understanding is important for future development. Here we build on approaches developed in polymer physics to provide theoretical descriptions for the equilibrium clustering and dynamics, as well as the self-assembly kinetics of DNA-linked nanoparticles. Striking agreement is observed between the theory and molecular modeling of DNA tethered nanoparticles.