Thanks to the amazing selfassembly properties of DNA, structures of exquisite complexity can be built just in designing proper DNA sequences (DNA origami is the best example). They can be used in the further design of complex systems involving other nanoobjects, or for the preparation of functional devices. Our aim is to demonstrate the fabrication of carbon nanotube transistors by selfassembly on a DNA structure. DNA is used here not only to position the carbon nanotube in the transistor channel but also as support for current leads.

To ensure the conduction properties of DNA, we independently developed a novel approach for DNA metallization. In our approach the progressive growth of nanowires was achieved by the slow and selective precipitation of palladium oxide on DNA molecules previously deposited on a dry substrate in a typical nanodevice configuration. The second step consisted on the reduction of the palladium oxide into metallic palladium. We fabricated homogeneous, continuous and conductive DNA-based Pd nanowires with very thin diameter (20-25 nm).

Nguyen K, Monteverde M, Filoramo A, Goux-Capes L, Lyonnais S, Jegou P, Viel P, Goffman M, Bourgoin JP Synthesis of thin and highly conductive DNA-based palladium nanowires, Advanced Materials, 2008, 20, 1099