Expanding the conjugation toolbox of DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters with biotin-streptavidin
- 1Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen Universitetsparken 5 2100 Copenhagen Denmark
- 2Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen Frederik V's Vej 11 2100 Copenhagen Denmark
Abstract
DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs) combine molecular-scale dimensions with sequence-dependent optical properties, making them promising candidates for bioimaging applications. However, strategies for site-specific conjugation of DNA-AgNCs remain comparatively limited. Here, we expand the conjugation toolbox of DNA-AgNCs through biotin functionalization of previously developed single-stranded DNA-AgNC containing a [Ag16Cl2]8+ cluster. Incorporation of biotin either at 3′ end or in the middle of the sequence, enabled selective immobilization of the resulting biotinylated DNA-AgNCs on streptavidin-coated poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microparticles. Importantly, biotin functionalization and subsequent particle attachment largely preserved the characteristic optical properties and fluorescence lifetimes of the DNA-AgNCs, while control experiments showed negligible nonspecific binding of the non-biotinylated DNA-AgNCs. These results demonstrated that biotin–streptavidin interaction provides a robust strategy for the modular functionalization of DNA-AgNCs without compromising their photophysical properties, opening opportunities for their integration into future bioimaging and sensing applications.
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BibTeX
@article{ruck2026expanding,
title = {{Expanding the conjugation toolbox of DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters with biotin-streptavidin}},
author = {Vanessa Rück and Simon Wenzel Lind and Christian Brinch Mollerup and Tom Vosch},
journal = {RSC advances},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1039/d6ra09400g},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722049},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Expanding the conjugation toolbox of DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters with biotin-streptavidin
AU - Vanessa Rück
AU - Simon Wenzel Lind
AU - Christian Brinch Mollerup
AU - Tom Vosch
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - RSC advances
DO - 10.1039/d6ra09400g
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722049
AB - DNA-stabilized silver nanoclusters (DNA-AgNCs) combine molecular-scale dimensions with sequence-dependent optical properties, making them promising candidates for bioimaging applications. However, strategies for site-specific conjugation of DNA-AgNCs remain comparatively limited. Here, we expand the conjugation toolbox of DNA-AgNCs through biotin functionalization of previously developed single-stranded DNA-AgNC containing a [Ag16Cl2]8+ cluster. Incorporation of biotin either at 3′ end or in the middle of the sequence, enabled selective immobilization of the resulting biotinylated DNA-AgNCs on streptavidin-coated poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microparticles. Importantly, biotin functionalization and subsequent particle attachment largely preserved the characteristic optical properties and fluorescence lifetimes of the DNA-AgNCs, while control experiments showed negligible nonspecific binding of the non-biotinylated DNA-AgNCs. These results demonstrated that biotin–streptavidin interaction provides a robust strategy for the modular functionalization of DNA-AgNCs without compromising their photophysical properties, opening opportunities for their integration into future bioimaging and sensing applications.
SN - 2046-2069
ER -