Synthesis and Assembly of DNA Block-copolymers

So-Jung Park

Goals and Approach:

The high density conjugation of DNA on nanoparticle surfaces can bring about unusual biological properties (i.e., sharp melting transition and high thermal stability of DNA duplex), that are very useful in DNA detection applications. We aim to utilize DNA block-copolymers to generate multifunctional nanoparticles densely functionalized with DNA (right).

Accomplishments:

• We successfully synthesized DNA block-copolymers in high yields (> 30%)
• We confirmed that DNA maintains its recognition properties on DNA block-copolymer micelles (bottom).