Construction and characterization of a gold nanoparticle wire assembled using Mg2+-dependent RNA-RNA interactions.

Magnesium-ion-mediated RNA-RNA loop-receptor interactions, in conjunction with gold nanoparticles derivatized with DNA, have been used to make self-assembled nanowires. A wire located between lithographically fabricated nanoelectrodes is demonstrated that exhibits activated conduction by electron hopping at temperatures in the 150-300 K range. These techniques have the ability to link particles between devices and in the future may be used to assemble practical circuits.