Self-assembly of nanoelectronic components and circuits using biological templates

A multistep self-assembly process is proposed for the preparation of nanometer-scale electronics. The process is based on the assembly of a DNA network that serves, in turn, as a template for the subsequent assembly of functional elements using different levels of molecular recognition ability. Inter-element connectivity and connection to the "macroscopic 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.