Synthesis of ordered iron oxide nanoparticle arrays in planar DNA complexes

The formation of iron oxide nanoparticles in planar DNA complexes immobilized on substrates has been studied in reactions involving only biogenic reagents (ferritin and ascorbic acid) in aqueous solutions under normal conditions. Using transmission electron microscopy, we revealed ordered quasi-linear arrays of iron oxide nanoparticles 2-4 nm in diameter, which probably resulted from nanoparticle binding to linear DNA molecules. The electron diffraction patterns of the synthesized nanoparticles are characteristic of polycrystalline magnetic iron oxide (magnetite of maghemite) nanoparticles and point to good crystallinity of the nanoparticles. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of the synthesis of ordered arrays of iron oxide nanoparticles using DNA complexes and may have direct implications for the understanding of biomineralization processes and iron metabolism in living systems.