Selective placement of functionalised DNA origami via thermal scanning probe lithography patterning

Abstract

Here we present a nanopatterning strategy utilising thermal scanning probe lithography (t-SPL) for the precise organisation of DNA origami into nanoarrays. The aim of this approach is to demonstrate control in the fabrication of nanoarray platforms exhibiting single-molecule accuracy. Combining the inherent programmability of DNA origami structures with t-SPL nanopatterning, we demonstrated the controlled immobilisation on surfaces of functionalised DNA origami – as proof of concept we employed gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and quantum dots (QDs) – at predefined positions and in nanoarray configurations. This method holds great potential for the construction of hetero-functionalised biomolecular nanoarrays with single-molecule control, with applications in bionanotechnology and (nano)materials science.