Abstract
A novel way of engineering DNA molecules involves substituting the imino proton of each base pair with a metal ion to obtain -DNA with altered electronic properties. We report the first direct evidence of metalliclike conduction through long -DNA. In contrast, measurements on -DNA give evidence of semiconducting behavior with a few hundred meV band gap at room temperature. The drastic change of -DNA conductivity points to a new degree of freedom in the development of future molecular electronics utilizing DNA, such as creating all-DNA junction devices for use as nanoelectronic building blocks.
- Received 4 August 2000
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.3670
©2001 American Physical Society