Feenstra: New page: ==Coarse graining DNA-coated colloids== DNA strands which are chemically attached to the surface of colloids can work as "sticky ends" and allow colloids to bind to each other, thereby fo...

Feenstra — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:32:44 GMT

New page: ==Coarse graining DNA-coated colloids== DNA strands which are chemically attached to the surface of colloids can work as "sticky ends" and allow colloids to bind to each other, thereby fo...

New page

==Coarse graining DNA-coated colloids==

DNA strands which are chemically attached to the surface of colloids
can work as "sticky ends" and allow colloids to bind to each other,
thereby forming networks of auto-assembled particles. Studies of such
DNA-coated colloids promise to offer insights into the necessary
ingredients for gaining exquisite control over colloidal
self-assembly. However, experimental exploration on self assembling
ordered structures is still in its infancy, with the main hurdle being
the lack of understanding of the thermodynamics and kinetics of
DNA-mediated self-assembly. Detailed exploration of these structures
via computer simulations on the other hand is hindered by the lack of
adequate techniques and efficient coarse-grained models. In this
presentation, we develop models of DNA-coated colloids at different
levels of coarse-graining and at the experimentally relevant
conditions. The different models are assessed for their validity and
new simulation techniques developed to draw the phase diagram of such
colloids. Finally, our findings (as e.g. melting temperature of the
crystals or equilibrium lattice spacing) are compared to experimental
results, showing agreement to within few percent and proving the
strength of our coarse-grained models.

2011-10-20 Bianca Mladek - Revision history

Feenstra: New page: ==Coarse graining DNA-coated colloids== DNA strands which are chemically attached to the surface of colloids can work as "sticky ends" and allow colloids to bind to each other, thereby fo...