POS4-1495
Rapid and General DNA Functionalization of Hydrophobic Nanoparticles
Topic
S4. Colloids, Interfaces, and Molecular Assemblies for Functional Soft Materials
When and Where
Oct 1, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
Room 301 (Grand Ballroom)
Session Chairs
Jinkee HONG
Ki Su KIM
Presenter(s)
Murali Golla (Ewha Womans University)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
DNA functionalization of hydrophobic nanoparticles remains challenging due to polarity mismatches and limited surface chemistries. Here, we present a fast and general strategy for direct DNA functionalization using phosphate-modified DNA with a guanine trimer (PG3-DNA). By leveraging synergistic phosphate-nucleobase interactions and a sequential thermal drying and freeze–thaw process, stable Iron oxide nanoparticle-DNA conjugates (IONP-DNA) were synthesized within 1 h. Under optimized conditions, IONP–DNA conjugates exhibit excellent colloidal stability across diverse buffer environments. Sequence-dependent studies reveal a pronounced nucleobase effect, with stability following the order G > A > C > T. This was further supported by density functional theory calculations on the Fe₃O₄(111) surface and attributed to coordination-driven binding and charge transfer. The protocol is readily extended to manganese oxide nanoparticles (MONP) and quantum dots (QDs), demonstrating broad material compatibility. Importantly, the resulting nanoparticle–DNA conjugates retain their intrinsic physicochemical properties and hybridization efficiency, as confirmed by spectroscopic, microscopic, and thermal denaturation analyses. This simple and time-efficient approach overcomes a longstanding barrier in hydrophobic nanoparticle biofunctionalization and offers a versatile platform for nanobiotechnology and programmable nanomaterials.
Reference:
Reference:
- M. Golla, H. Jeon, S. K. Albert, H. Lee, M. J. Park, S.-J. Park, Adv. Sci. 2025, e01491.
