Quantum dots in modular nucleic acid scaffolds operable as nanoscale energy harvesting and focusing arrays
Inventors
Ancona, Mario • Goldman, Ellen R. • Buckhout-White, Susan • Medintz, Igor L. • Melinger, Joseph S.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-10260086-B2
Publication Date
2019-04-16
Expiration Date
2035-04-14
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Abstract
The invention relates to a nanoscale antenna including a nucleic acid scaffold having a structure selected from the group consisting of a Holliday junction, a star, and a dendrimer; and a plurality of fluorophores attached to the scaffold and configured as a FRET cascade comprising at least three different types of fluorophores including at least one quantum dot, arranged with (a) a plurality of initial donor fluorophores fixed in exterior positions on the structure, (b) a terminal acceptor fluorophore fixed in a central position on the structure, and (c) a plurality of intermediate fluorophores fixed in positions on the scaffold between the initial acceptor fluorophores and the terminal acceptor fluorophores.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a nanoscale antenna comprising a nucleic acid scaffold selected from structures like a Holliday junction, a star, and a dendrimer, with a plurality of fluorophores attached to the scaffold, configured as a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) cascade. This cascade includes at least three different types of fluorophores, including at least one quantum dot, arranged such that initial donor fluorophores are fixed in exterior positions, a terminal acceptor fluorophore is fixed centrally, and intermediate fluorophores are positioned on the scaffold between the initial donors and the terminal acceptor.
The problem being addressed is the need for techniques to focus light excitonic energy and to study FRET phenomena effectively. The invention solves this by providing modular nucleic acid scaffolds enabling control over the arrangement and number of fluorophores to create nanoscale antennas capable of directed energy transfer and amplification.
The nanoscale antenna employs modular assembly of fluorophores on nucleic acid scaffolds, allowing multi-step energy transfer with precise control over the number of FRET steps and spatial arrangement. The scaffolds facilitate multiple donor and acceptor geometries, including branching dendrimers that increase energy transfer efficiency. Furthermore, portions of the scaffold incorporating intermediate fluorophores may include toehold sequences that enable detachable sections upon interaction with complementary sequences, allowing configurational changes affecting energy transfer.
Claims Coverage
The patent claims comprise three independent claims covering nanoscale antennas with nucleic acid scaffolds, a dendrimer-structured antenna variant, and a method of using such nanoscale antennas.
Nanoscale antenna structure with nucleic acid scaffold and fluorophore FRET cascade
A nanoscale antenna including a nucleic acid scaffold selected from a Holliday junction, a star, or a dendrimer; a plurality of attached fluorophores configured as a FRET cascade comprising at least three different fluorophore types including at least one quantum dot, arranged with multiple initial donor fluorophores fixed exteriorly, a terminal acceptor fixed centrally, and intermediate fluorophores positioned between donors and terminal acceptor. Additionally, parts of the scaffold with intermediate fluorophores comprise toehold sequences detachable upon contact with complementary sequences.
Dendrimer structure nanoscale antenna with fluorophore FRET cascade and detachable scaffold portions
A nanoscale antenna specifically having a dendrimer nucleic acid scaffold structure; multiple fluorophores arranged as a FRET cascade with at least three different fluorophore types including quantum dots, arranged with multiple initial donors exteriorly, a central terminal acceptor, and intermediate fluorophores in between; wherein scaffold portions with intermediate fluorophores include toehold sequences detachable by complementary sequence interaction.
Method of using nanoscale antenna for analyte detection via FRET excitation and scaffold detachment
A method comprising providing a nanoscale antenna as described with nucleic acid scaffold and fluorophore FRET cascade including quantum dots and detachable toehold bearing scaffold portions; contacting the antenna with an analyte; exciting the antenna with a light source to excite the FRET cascade; and measuring a response indicating the presence degree of a sequence complementary to the toehold sequence in the analyte.
The patent claims cover nanoscale antennas formed with nucleic acid scaffolds configured for multi-step FRET cascades involving quantum dots, with detachable scaffold sections through toehold sequences, encompassing both structural compositions and methods of use for analyte detection via changes in fluorescence response.
Stated Advantages
Allows controlled multi-step energy transfer with configurable number and arrangement of fluorophores.
Modular design permits rapid reconfiguration of energy cascades and multiple configurations within one building set.
Incorporates multiple interacting parallel FRET pathways for enhanced energy flow and efficiency.
Compatible with various nucleic acids and fluorophores including quantum dots, enabling flexible architectures including 2D and 3D scaffolds.
Potential for biocompatibility and use in biological imaging with reduced background and versatile excitation modalities.
Enables construction of sensors responsive to complementary nucleic acid sequences through toehold-mediated scaffold detachment, amplifying signal changes.
Facilitates one-pot assembly without requiring purification, and is suitable for ensemble or single-molecule applications.
Documented Applications
Use as nanoscale antennas to harvest and focus light energy for power or functional nanodevices.
Sensors detecting analytes by changes in fluorescence response upon scaffold detachment triggered by complementary nucleic acid sequences.
Research tools for studying FRET and light-harvesting phenomena, including synthetic mimics of photosynthesis.
Biological imaging with potential for reduced background and time-gated or multiphoton excitation modalities.
Optical coding, information storage, information processing, data encryption, and sensitization for energy conversion.
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