diamondoids and dna nanotechnologies

Diamondoids and DNA Nanotechnologies

Diamondoids are cage-like saturated hydrocarbons consisting of fused cyclohexane rings. The Diamondoids family of compounds is one of the best candidates for molecular building blocks (MBBs) in nanotechnology to construct organic nanostructures compared to other MBBs known so far. The challenge is to find a route for self-assembly of these cage hydrocarbons and their applications in the bottom-...

Chemically modified diamondoids as biosensors for DNA.

Understanding the interaction of biological molecules with materials is essential in view of the novel potential applications arising when these two are combined. To this end, we investigate the interaction of DNA with diamondoids, a broad family of tiny hydrogen-terminated diamond clusters with high technological potential. We model this interaction through quantum-mechanical computer simulati...

Type-dependent identification of DNA nucleobases by using diamondoids.

The possibility of distinguishing between DNA nucleobases of different sizes is manifested here through quantum-mechanical simulations. By using derivatives of small, modified diamond clusters, known as diamondoids, it is possible to separate the pyrimidines (cytosine and thymine) from the larger purines (adenine and guanine), according to the collective electronic and binding properties of the...

Site-specific incorporation of diamondoids on DNA using click chemistry.

A simple and robust solid phase synthetic method for the ligation of diamondoids on the phosphate backbone of DNA with "click" chemistry using [Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)]PF(6) without a stabilizing ligand is reported. It was found that as the size of dimondoid increased, a corresponding increase in melting temperature was observed.

Analytical miniaturization and nanotechnologies.

Raman spectroscopy of diamondoids.

A selection of diamondoid hydrocarbons, from adamantane to [121321] heptamantane, have been analysed by multi-wavelength laser Raman spectroscopy. Spectra were assigned using vibrational frequencies and Raman intensities were calculated by employing the B3LYP functional and the split valence basis set of Schafer, Horn and Ahlrichs with polarisation functions on carbon atoms. The variation of th...