Construction and characterization of a gold nanoparticle wire assembled using Mg²⁺-dependent RNA-RNA interactions

Magnesium-ion-mediated RNA−RNA loop−receptor interactions, in conjunction with gold nanoparticles derivatized with DNA, have been used to make self-assembled nanowires. A wire located between lithographically fabricated nanoelectrodes is demonstrated that exhibits activated conduction by electron hopping at temperatures in the 150−300 K range. These techniques have the ability to link particles between devices and in the future may be used to assemble practical circuits