Abstract
We investigate the reversible association of micrometer-sized colloids coated with complementary single-stranded DNA "sticky ends" as a function of the temperature and the sticky end coverage. We find that even a qualitative description of the dissociation transition curves requires the inclusion of an entropic cost. We develop a simple general model for this cost in terms of the configurational entropy loss due to binding and confinement of the tethered DNA between neighboring particles. With this easy-to-use model, we demonstrate for different kinds of DNA constructs quantitative control over the dissociation temperature and the sharpness of the dissociation curve, both essential properties for complex self-assembly processes.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 048301 |
Journal | Physical Review Letters |
Volume | 102 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 26 2009 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Physics and Astronomy