Cross-Linking versus Non-Cross-Linking Aggregation of Gold Nanoparticles Induced by DNA Hybridization: A Comparison of the Rapidity of Solution Color Change

Gold nanoparticles densely modified with single-stranded DNA (ssDNA-AuNPs) form aggregates with cross-linker ssDNAs via duplex formation. Alternatively, the ssDNA-AuNPs are spontaneously aggregated at high ionic strength in a non-cross-linking manner when complementary ssDNAs are added to form fully matched duplexes. Both aggregation modes are accompanied by a red-to-purple color change, which has been exploited in various bioassays. The current study compares the rapidity of color change between the cross-linking and non-cross-linking aggregation modes under identical conditions. When a small number of cross-linker/complementary DNAs are provided, the cross-linking mode exhibited more rapid color change than the non-cross-linking mode. Conversely, with a large number of the DNAs, the non-cross-linking aggregation occurred more rapidly than the cross-linking counterpart. This finding allows one to select a more appropriate aggregation mode for application of ssDNA-AuNPs to colorimetric assays under given conditions.