Preparation of modified DNA molecules for multi-Spectroscopy Application

  • xinyu zhang

Student thesis: Master's Thesis

Abstract

Hot Electron Nanoscopy and Spectroscopy (HENs) is a current-sensing AFM technique recently developed in our lab, which have proven a new kind of response on conduction at the nanometer scale, casting a new light for the comprehension of electronic states in nanomaterials. Direct imaging of DNA structure has long been investigated, with the development of HENs technology, more structural information about DNA could be revealed by simultaneous measurements of height, phase, Raman signal, and conductivity. With the aim of applying it for the first time on biological molecules, customized double-stranded DNA sequences, including thiol-modified oligonucleotides are designed to create preferential conductive paths through the basis as a benchmark system for the technique on biomolecules. This work aims to a final goal to characterize hot-electron current between gold tip and thiol modified DNA which ideally is covalently bonded to the gold surface and optimized for the application. In this work, high density of DNA absorbed by SERS active gold surface with atomic flat islands has been prepared for HENs application. The samples have been characterized by AFM, SKPM and Raman Spectroscopy, as non-destructive and controlled interactive image analysis. High-resolution images of DNA have been acquired, S-S and Au-S bonding of DNA anchored on SERS active gold substrate are also visible with Surface-enhanced Raman and Tip-enhanced Raman signals. A submolecular feature has also been found in both topographical and electrical results. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization steps to obtain the optimized operation standard.
Date of AwardNov 29 2018
Original languageEnglish (US)
Awarding Institution
  • Physical Sciences and Engineering
SupervisorEnzo Di Fabrizio (Supervisor)

Keywords

  • Multi-Spectroscopy Platform
  • Molecular Recognition
  • Atomic Force Microscopy
  • Nano-Material Characterization

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