Fast, single-step, and surfactant-free oligonucleotide modification of gold nanoparticles using DNA with a positively charged tail

Fast modification of large gold nanoparticles with DNA is achieved by using DNA with a polycationic tail. The conjugated DNA is available for specific hybridization, and therefore can be used for DNA-based assays or for constructing nanoparticle superstructures based on DNA hybridization.