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Biomolecular electronics: first steps towards molecular-device-based computing
G. Cuniberti .
DNA and Chromosomes: physical and biological approaches
2000.08; Cargese, France
| The question whether DNA can sustain an electronic
current has suscitated, in the last few years,
considerable interest both theoretically [1] and
experimentally [2] and is still a matter under
debate. The biological relevance of this issue is
mainly related to the role of electron transfer as a
repair mechanism after radiation damage to the DNA
helix. A similar concernment, even though in a
different contest, has recently emerged regarding the
possibility to use DNA as a constituent of molecular
scale electronic devices. After a period of high hopes
but few tangible results, it was shown that single
molecules can conduct, switch electric current and
store information [3]. To this porpuse, DNA possesses
additional alluring features like the appropriate
molecular recognition, self assembly, and mechanical
properties which are necessary conditions to lead to
the realization and eventual integration into useful
nano circuits; a deeper understanding of conduction
mechanisms is -as a consequence- urgently required. In
this talk, I will first describe the status-of-the-art
of research on the conduction properties of the DNA
strand, giving emphasis to their possible integration
in electronic circuits. Thus, I will address the
problem of electron transport across a system
consisting of a molecular wire (an archetype for a
biomolecular chain) attached to two semi-infinite
carbon nanotubes acting as contacting leads. The
latter are rolled graphene sheets in a seamless
cylindrical structure, with typical diameter of few
nanometer and millimeter size lengths, and with
extremely well taylorable electronic features [4]. The
electrical conductance of the hybrid system can be
obtained by means standard theoretical physics
techniques as a function of system parameters such as
the wire-nanotube coupling strength, and the contact
geometry. Electron transport exhibits markedly
different behaviors depending on the contacting between
the wire and the nanotube interfacial atoms. Possible
implications for experiments are finally
discussed.
[1] M. A. Ratner, Electronic Motion in
DNA, Nature 397, 480 (1999); D. N. Beratan
et al., DNA: Insulator or wire?,
Chemistry and Biology 4, 3 (1997). [2] F.
D. Lewis et al., Direct measurement of hole
transport dynamics in DNA, Nature 406, 51
(2000); D. Porath et al., Direct measurement
of electrical transport through DNA molecules,
Nature 403, 635 (2000); H. Fink and C.
Schönenberger, Electronic conduction through
DNA molecules, Nature 398, 407 (1999); E.
Braun et al., DNA-templated assembly and
electrode attachment of a conducting silver wire,
Nature 391, 775 (1999). [3] M. A. Reed
et al., Conductance of a Molecular
Junction, Science 278, 252 (1997).
[4] R. Saito, G. Dresselhaus, and M. S.
Dresselhaus, Physical Properties of Carbon
Nanotubes (World Scientific Pub., 1998).
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Prof. Dr. Gianaurelio Cuniberti
secretariat:
postal address:
Institute for Materials Science
TU Dresden
01062 Dresden, Germany
visitors and courier address:
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