Analysis of DNA-Guided Self Assembly of Microspheres Using Imaging Flow Cytometry

摘要

Imaging flow cytometry was used to analyze the self assembly of DNA-conjugated polystyrene microspheres. This technique enables quantitative analysis of the assembly process and thereby enables detailed analysis of effect of structural and process variables on the yield of assembly. In a demonstration of the potential of this technique, the influence of DNA strands base pair (bp) length was examined and it was found that 50 bp was sufficient to efficiently drive the assembly of microspheres, forming not only dimers but also chain-like structures. The effect of stoichiometry on yield was also examined. The analysis demonstrated that self assembly of 50 bp microspheres can be driven to near completion by stoichiometric excess in a manner similar to Le Chatelier’s principle in common chemical equilibrium.