SELF-ASSEMBLY OF NANOELECTRONIC COMPONENTS AND CIRCUITS USING BIOLOGICAL TEMPLATES

A multistep self-assembly process is proposed for the preparation of n anometer-scale electronics. The process is based on the assembly of a DNA network that serves, in turn, as a template for the subsequent ass embly of functional elements using different levels of molecular recog nition ability. Inter-element connectivity and connection to the ''mac roscopic world'' is achieved by instilling electrical functionality to the DNA network. The feasibility of this approach was demonstrated by the DNA-templated self-assembly of a 12 mu m long, ca. 1000 Angstrom wide, conductive silver wire connecting two macroscopic electrodes.