DNA-protected metal nanoclusters

The remarkable programmability and precision offered by nucleic acids render them as special candidates among other biological templates employed to stabilize luminescent metal nanoclusters (MNCs). DNA binds with metal ions primarily through heterocyclic nucleobases and thereby offers control over modulating the optical properties of MNCs and avoids further aggregation to nonluminescent aggregates. In this chapter, special focus is given to DNA-templated fluorescent MNCs of silver (Ag), gold (Au), and copper (Cu) with inherent optical properties and superior applications gained by the presence of DNA as a template. General synthetic strategies, DNA structure and sequence-dependent tuning of optical properties, and key biological applications of DNA-MNCs constructs are reviewed. Finally, we highlight the important prospects of DNA-templated MNCs.