DNA is a semiconductor

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瑞士两位物理学家发现DNA分子能像优质半导体一样高效导电。他们通过实验表明，DNA分子非常适合用于制造介观电子器件。研究者将DNA分子置于水溶液中，并使用特殊设备观察到DNA分子形成直径约2微米的“绳索”。利用低能相干电子束，科学家们成功地对DNA分子进行了可视化而未对其造成损害。

[PhysicsWeb 1 April 1999] DNA molecules - the building blocks of life - can conduct electricity as efficiently as a good semiconductor according to two Swiss physicists. Hans-Werner Fink and Christian Sch?nenberger from the University of Basel say that DNA's electrical properties make it "ideally suited for the construction of mesoscopic electronic devices" (Nature 398 407).

Fink and Sch?nenberger made their measurements by placing discrete amounts of DNA molecules in a water-based solution. A tiny droplet of the solution was then placed onto a gold-coated carbon foil. Blotting paper was then used to remove most of the water on the device, causing some of the individual DNA molecules to span the holes in the foil. According to their calculations, these strands coalesce into a DNA 'rope' 2 microns in diameter.

By using a low-energy coherent electron beam from a LEEP microscope, Fink and Sch?nenberger were able to visualise the DNA strands without damaging the molecules. Next they used a mechanical tip to break one end of the DNA rope away from the foil. The tip was then used to create a small measurable voltage between this end of the rope and the foil.