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Gate-controlled conductance switching in DNA

Author

Listed:
  • Limin Xiang

    (Biodesign Center for Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University
    School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University)

  • Julio L. Palma

    (Biodesign Center for Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University
    School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University
    The Pennsylvania State University, Fayette)

  • Yueqi Li

    (Biodesign Center for Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University
    School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University)

  • Vladimiro Mujica

    (School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University)

  • Mark A. Ratner

    (Northwestern University)

  • Nongjian Tao

    (Biodesign Center for Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University
    School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University)

Abstract

Extensive evidence has shown that long-range charge transport can occur along double helical DNA, but active control (switching) of single-DNA conductance with an external field has not yet been demonstrated. Here we demonstrate conductance switching in DNA by replacing a DNA base with a redox group. By applying an electrochemical (EC) gate voltage to the molecule, we switch the redox group between the oxidized and reduced states, leading to reversible switching of the DNA conductance between two discrete levels. We further show that monitoring the individual conductance switching allows the study of redox reaction kinetics and thermodynamics at single molecular level using DNA as a probe. Our theoretical calculations suggest that the switch is due to the change in the energy level alignment of the redox states relative to the Fermi level of the electrodes.

Suggested Citation

  • Limin Xiang & Julio L. Palma & Yueqi Li & Vladimiro Mujica & Mark A. Ratner & Nongjian Tao, 2017. "Gate-controlled conductance switching in DNA," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-10, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms14471
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14471
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