Growth of immobilized DNA by polymerase: bridging nanoelectrodes with individual dsDNA molecules

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method to connect gold nanoelectrodes with dsDNA molecules using polymerase-driven elongation of immobilized primers, enabling applications in sensing and molecular electronics.

Contribution

It presents a novel technique for bridging nanoelectrodes with dsDNA via polymerase extension of immobilized primers, combining dielectrophoretic trapping and PCR-like elongation.

Findings

Successful formation of dsDNA bridges between nanoelectrodes.

Potential for bottom-up assembly in molecular electronics.

Enhanced capabilities for detection and sensing applications.

Abstract

We present a method for controlled connection of gold electrodes with dsDNA molecules (locally on a chip) by utilizing polymerase to elongate single-stranded DNA primers attached to the electrodes. Thiol-modified oligonucleotides are directed and immobilized to nanoscale electrodes by means of dielectrophoretic trapping, and extended in a procedure mimicking PCR, finally forming a complete dsDNA molecule bridging the gap between the electrodes. The technique opens up opportunities for building from the bottom-up, for detection and sensing applications, and also for molecular electronics.