Ming Zheng’s group found that certain DNA sequences recognize specific carbon nanotubes. They have identified several hundred such special sequences. Using these, one can separate out most SWCNT species from a mixture. The basis for recognition, we propose, is the formation of an ordered DNA structure stabilized by the CNT core. We have found that anti-parallel DNA strands can organize into ordered sheets similar to the beta-sheet structure of poly-peptides. Moreover, these can be rolled into barrels that resemble the protein beta-barrels.
“DNA sequence motifs for structure-specific recognition and separation of carbon nanotubes”, Xiaomin Tu, Suresh Manohar, Anand Jagota, Ming Zheng, Nature v 460 250-253 (2009).
Ao, Geyou, Constantine Y. Khripin, and Ming Zheng. “DNA-controlled partition of carbon nanotubes in polymer aqueous two-phase systems.” Journal of the American Chemical Society 136, no. 29 (2014): 10383-10392.
