Construction and Examination of “G-wire” DNA

The self-assembly process of G-wire DNA was investigated through scanning probe microscopy. Growth kinetics studies indicated the self-assembly process is diffusion limited and provides Poisson-like distribution of G-wire lengths upon reaching equilibrium. This evidence suggests that self-assembly is driven by thermodynamic processes. The average lengths of these molecules are around 100 nm long after 24 hours of growth. However, longer G-wire DNA molecules (many micrometers) are found both in flexible and crystalline forms. The latter structures are extremely interesting candidates for molecular nanowires.