Interplay of graphene-DNA interactions: Unveiling sensing potential of graphene materials

Graphene-based materials and DNA probes/nanostructures have emerged as building blocks for constructing powerful biosensors. Graphene-based materials possess exceptional properties, including two-dimensional atomically flat basal planes for biomolecule binding. DNA probes serve as excellent selective probes, exhibiting specific recognition capabilities toward diverse target analytes. Meanwhile, DNA nanostructures function as placement scaffolds, enabling the precise organization of molecular species at nanoscale and the positioning of complex biomolecular assays. The interplay of DNA probes/nanostructures and graphene-based materials has fostered the creation of intricate hybrid materials with user-defined architectures. This advancement has resulted in significant progress in developing novel biosensors for detecting DNA, RNA, small molecules, and proteins, as well as for DNA sequencing. Consequently, a profound understanding of the interactions between DNA and graphene-based materials is key to developing these biological devices. In this review, we systematically discussed the current comprehension of the interaction between DNA probes and graphene-based materials, and elucidated the latest advancements in DNA probe-graphene-based biosensors. Additionally, we concisely summarized recent research endeavors involving the deposition of DNA nanostructures on graphene-based materials and explored imminent biosensing applications by seamlessly integrating DNA nanostructures with graphene-based materials. Finally, we delineated the primary challenges and provided prospective insights into this rapidly developing field. We envision that this review will aid researchers in understanding the interactions between DNA and graphene-based materials, gaining deeper insight into the biosensing mechanisms of DNA-graphene-based biosensors, and designing novel biosensors for desired applications.

Surface modification and pattern formation by nucleobases and their coordination complexes

This review presents recent progress concerning the organization of nucleobases on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), mica, Cu(110) and Au(111) surfaces, followed by their studies using microscopy methods such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Interesting research prospects related to surface patterning by nucleobases, nucleobase-functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and metal–nucleobase coordination polymers are also discussed, which offer a wide array of functional molecules for advanced applications. Nucleobases and their analogs are able to invoke non-covalent interactions such as π–π stacking and hydrogen bonding, and possess the required framework to coordinate metal ions, giving rise to fascinating supramolecular architectures. The latter could be transferred to conductive substrates, such as HOPG and gold, for assessment by high-end tunneling microscopy under various conditions. Clear understanding of the principles governing nucleobase self-assembly and metal ion complexation, and precise control over generation of functional architectures, might lead to custom assemblies for targeted nanotechnological and nanomaterial applications.

This review highlights recent advancements in surface patterning of nucleobases, their analogs including nucleobase-CNT hybrids and metal complexes, using various microscopy techniques for nanotechnological applications.

Controlling two-phase self-assembly of an adenine derivative on HOPG via kinetic effects

Large-area self-assembled structures of a nucleobase adenine derivative were successfully realized through vacuum deposition. STM images reveal two types of structures, which could be regulated by substrate temperature and the evaporation rate, indicating the relevance of kinetic effects. The results are supported by computer simulations.

Temperature-dependent self-assembly of adenine derivative on HOPG

Temperature-dependent self-assembly formed by the adsorption of the nucleobase adenine derivative on a graphite surface were investigated by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The high-resolution STM images reveal two types of structures, α phase and β phase, which are mainly driven by either hydrogen bonding or aromatic π-π interactions between adenine bases, respectively, as well as the interactions of alkyl chains. α-Phase structures can be transformed into β-phase structures by increasing temperature. The reverse is true for decreasing temperature. This reflects structural stabilities resulting from the different interactions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to characterize possible arrangements of adjacent adenine moieties systematically in terms of binding energies and structural properties. Via a systematic search algorithm, all possible network structures were determined on a microscopic level. In this way, it is possible to rationalize the structural parameters as found in the STM images.

Biomolecules at interfaces: chiral, naturally

Interfaces are a most important environment in natural and synthetic chemistries for a wide variety of processes, such as catalysis, recognition, separation, and so on. Naturally occurring systems have evolved to one handedness and the study of interfaces where biomolecules are located is a potentially revealing pursuit with regard to understanding the reasons and importance of stereochemistry in these environments. Equally, the spontaneous resolution of achiral and chiral compounds at interfaces could lead to explanations regarding the emergence of single handedness in proteins and sugars. Also, the attachment of biomolecules to surfaces leads to systems capable of stereoselective processes which may be useful for the applications mentioned above. The review covers systems ranging from small biomolecules studied under ultrapure conditions in vacuum to protein adsorption to surfaces in solution, and the techniques that can be used to study them.

Control of self-assembled 2D nanostructures by methylation of guanine

Methylation of DNA nucleobases is an important control mechanism in biology applied, for example, in the regulation of gene expression. The effect of methylation on the intermolecular interactions between guanine molecules is studied through an interplay between scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory with empirical dispersion correction (DFT-D). The present STM and DFT-D results show that methylation of guanine can have subtle effects on the hydrogen-bond strength with a strong dependence on the position of methylation. It is demonstrated that the methylation of DNA nucleobases is a precise means to tune intermolecular interactions and consequently enables very specific recognition of DNA methylation by enzymes. This scheme is used to generate four different types of artificial 2D nanostructures from methylated guanine. For instance, a 2D guanine windmill motif that is stabilized by cooperative hydrogen bonding is revealed. It forms by self-assembly on a graphite surface under ambient conditions at the liquid-solid interface when the hydrogen-bonding donor at the N1 site of guanine is blocked by a methyl group.