Explain+the+Large+Goal+of+Depositing+Monolayers+and+DNA+on+Silicon+with+Nanotechnology

You must be able to see and explain the large goal of DNA deposition on silicon. Otherwise, you will not know why you're working on this project. First of all, it is important to note that this project deals in the realm of creating nanotechnology. **Nanotechnology** is essentially //the building of structures in the range of nanometers//. The main goal of depositing DNA is to eventually build structures with them such as scaffolds for other molecules that scientists want to study.

These molecules, using DNA, can be formed into crystalline patterns that can be applied to such uses as circuitry for computers on the nanoscale. Silicon is used over mica or any other structure because **it is a semi-conductor**, however, the **DNA to be used as scaffolding** does not adhere correctly to the silicon, which is where the project and this milestone map come in to show and explain steps for someone to learn the AFM and DNA deposition and push the project forward.

How can the DNA act as scaffolding? The DNA has **sticky ends** which are unpaired bases. These bases can be manipulated to create grid-like structures and patterns made out of DNA. Below is an image of DNA frid structures from the //“Nanotechnology and the Double Helix” article by Nadrian C. Seema//n.



Below is a top to bottom view of molecules in a grid-like pattern with DNA. This image and its source can be found on the 12/11/07 entry of my logbook.



Next Milestone - Clean the Silicon and Mica