TY - JOUR

T1 - Structure and luminescence of DNA-templated silver clusters

AU - Gonzàlez-Rosell, Anna

AU - Cerretani, Cecilia

AU - Mastracco, Peter

AU - Vosch, Tom

AU - Copp, Stacy M.

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - DNA serves as a versatile template for few-atom silver clusters and their organized self-assembly. These clusters possess unique structural and photophysical properties that are programmed into the DNA template sequence, resulting in a rich palette of fluorophores which hold promise as chemical and biomolecular sensors, biolabels, and nanophotonic elements. Here, we review recent advances in the fundamental understanding of DNA-templated silver clusters (AgN-DNAs), including the role played by the silver-mediated DNA complexes which are synthetic precursors to AgN-DNAs, structure-property relations of AgN-DNAs, and the excited state dynamics leading to fluorescence in these clusters. We also summarize the current understanding of how DNA sequence selects the properties of AgN-DNAs and how sequence can be harnessed for informed design and for ordered multi-cluster assembly. To catalyze future research, we end with a discussion of several opportunities and challenges, both fundamental and applied, for the AgN-DNA research community. A comprehensive fundamental understanding of this class of metal cluster fluorophores can provide the basis for rational design and for advancement of their applications in fluorescence-based sensing, biosciences, nanophotonics, and catalysis.

AB - DNA serves as a versatile template for few-atom silver clusters and their organized self-assembly. These clusters possess unique structural and photophysical properties that are programmed into the DNA template sequence, resulting in a rich palette of fluorophores which hold promise as chemical and biomolecular sensors, biolabels, and nanophotonic elements. Here, we review recent advances in the fundamental understanding of DNA-templated silver clusters (AgN-DNAs), including the role played by the silver-mediated DNA complexes which are synthetic precursors to AgN-DNAs, structure-property relations of AgN-DNAs, and the excited state dynamics leading to fluorescence in these clusters. We also summarize the current understanding of how DNA sequence selects the properties of AgN-DNAs and how sequence can be harnessed for informed design and for ordered multi-cluster assembly. To catalyze future research, we end with a discussion of several opportunities and challenges, both fundamental and applied, for the AgN-DNA research community. A comprehensive fundamental understanding of this class of metal cluster fluorophores can provide the basis for rational design and for advancement of their applications in fluorescence-based sensing, biosciences, nanophotonics, and catalysis.

U2 - 10.1039/d0na01005g

DO - 10.1039/d0na01005g

M3 - Review

C2 - 36132866

AN - SCOPUS:85102311322

VL - 3

SP - 1230

EP - 1260

JO - Nanoscale Advances

JF - Nanoscale Advances

SN - 2516-0230

IS - 5

ER -