World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!

D-Index & Metrics

Chemistry

D-Index
69
Citations
43254
World Ranking
6067
National Ranking
1845

Research.com Recognitions

  • 1986 - Member of the National Academy of Sciences
  • 1980 - Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
  • 1956 - Fellow of John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation

Overview

Robert L. Letsinger was affiliated with Northwestern University in the United States. Their research spanned several main fields of study, primarily including Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Materials Science, and Engineering.

The subfields of study they contributed to covered areas such as Molecular Biology, Materials Chemistry, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, and Biomedical Engineering.

The main topics of their research work included:

  • Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
  • Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis and Applications
  • Biosensors and Analytical Detection
  • Advanced Nanomaterials in Catalysis
  • Nanocluster Synthesis and Applications
  • RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
  • Advanced Biosensing Techniques and Applications

Throughout their career, Robert L. Letsinger coauthored research with several frequent collaborators. These included Chad A. Mirkin, Robert C. Mucic, James J. Storhoff, Robert Elghanian, and T. Andrew Taton.

They were recognized as a member of the National Academy of Sciences in 1986. Earlier honors included being named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 1980 and a Fellow of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation in 1956.

Best Publications

  • A DNA-based Method for Rationally Assembling Nanoparticles Into Macroscopic Materials

    Chad A. Mirkin;Robert L. Letsinger;Robert C. Mucic;James J. Storhoff

  • Selective Colorimetric Detection of Polynucleotides Based on the Distance-Dependent Optical Properties of Gold Nanoparticles

    Robert Elghanian;James J. Storhoff;Robert C. Mucic;Robert L. Letsinger

  • Scanometric DNA Array Detection with Nanoparticle Probes

    T. Andrew Taton;Chad A. Mirkin;Robert L. Letsinger

  • One-Pot Colorimetric Differentiation of Polynucleotides with Single Base Imperfections Using Gold Nanoparticle Probes

    James J. Storhoff;Robert Elghanian;Robert C. Mucic;Chad A. Mirkin

  • A Fluorescence-Based Method for Determining the Surface Coverage and Hybridization Efficiency of Thiol-Capped Oligonucleotides Bound to Gold Thin Films and Nanoparticles

    Linette M. Demers;Chad A. Mirkin;Robert C. Mucic;Robert A. Reynolds

  • Cholesteryl-conjugated oligonucleotides: synthesis, properties, and activity as inhibitors of replication of human immunodeficiency virus in cell culture

    Robert L. Letsinger;Guangrong Zhang;Daisy K. Sun;Tohru Ikeuchi

  • Nanoparticles having oligonucleotides attached thereto and uses therefor

    Chad A. Mirkin;Robert L. Letsinger;Robert C. Mucic;James J. Storhoff

  • Programmed Assembly of DNA Functionalized Quantum Dots

    Gregory P. Mitchell;Chad A. Mirkin;Robert L. Letsinger

  • DNA-Directed Synthesis of Binary Nanoparticle Network Materials

    Robert C. Mucic;James J. Storhoff;Chad A. Mirkin;Robert L. Letsinger

  • Oligonucleotides having modified internucleoside linkages or terminal amino group

    Robert L. Letsinger;Sergei M. Gryaznov

  • Distance-Dependent Electron Transfer in DNA Hairpins

    Frederick D. Lewis;Taifeng Wu;Yifan Zhang;Robert L. Letsinger

  • Steroid modified oligonucleotides

    Robert L. Letsinger

  • Dynamics of photoinduced charge transfer and hole transport in synthetic DNA hairpins.

    Frederick D. Lewis;Robert L. Letsinger;Michael R. Wasielewski

  • Sequence-Dependent Stability of DNA-Modified Gold Nanoparticles

    James J. Storhoff;Robert Elghanian;Chad A. Mirkin;Robert L. Letsinger

  • Homogeneous, Nanoparticle-Based Quantitative Colorimetric Detection of Oligonucleotides

    Robert A. Reynolds;Chad A. Mirkin;Robert L. Letsinger

  • Multiple thiol-anchor capped DNA–gold nanoparticle conjugates

    Zhi Li;Rongchao Jin;Chad A. Mirkin;Robert L. Letsinger

  • The DNA-Mediated Formation of Supramolecular Mono- and Multilayered Nanoparticle Structures

    T. Andrew Taton;Robert C. Mucic;Chad A. Mirkin, ,† and;Robert L. Letsinger

  • SYNTHESIS OF THYMIDINE OLIGONUCLEOTIDES BY PHOSPHITE TRIESTER INTERMEDIATES

    Robert L. Letsinger;Willie B. Lunsford

  • Oxalyl-CPG: a labile support for synthesis of sensitive oligonucleotide derivatives.

    Rushdi H. Alul;Charles N. Singman;Guangrong Zhang;Robert L. Letsinger

  • OLIGONUCLEOTIDE SYNTHESIS ON A POLYMER SUPPORT.

    Robert L. Letsinger;V. Mahadevan

Frequent Co-Authors

Chad A. Mirkin
Chad A. Mirkin Northwestern University
Frederick D. Lewis
Frederick D. Lewis Northwestern University
Sergei M. Gryaznov
Sergei M. Gryaznov MAIA Biotechnology, Inc.
So-Jung Park
So-Jung Park Ewha Womans University
Michael R. Wasielewski
Michael R. Wasielewski Northwestern University
Geoffrey L. Greene
Geoffrey L. Greene University of Chicago
Paul S. Miller
Paul S. Miller Johns Hopkins University
Joseph B. Lambert
Joseph B. Lambert Trinity University
Peter T. Lansbury
Peter T. Lansbury Harvard University
Donald M. Jerina
Donald M. Jerina National Institutes of Health

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Studying chemistry in the USA opens diverse opportunities, including specialized fields like forensic science. Exploring forensic career paths demonstrates how a solid chemistry background can support roles in criminal investigations and lab work for law enforcement agencies.

For those considering interdisciplinary studies, online programs offer flexible options. Understanding the cost of criminal justice degree programs helps in budgeting for a complementary education that ties chemistry to legal processes.

Entry-level opportunities can start with criminal justice associate programs online, which provide foundational knowledge useful for roles in law enforcement or forensic laboratories. These programs are typically more affordable and flexible for working students.

Additionally, earning a paralegal studies associate degree can complement a chemistry degree, enabling graduates to navigate legal documentation related to patents, compliance, or intellectual property in scientific fields. These multidisciplinary paths enhance employability across both science and law sectors.

Best Scientists Citing Robert L. Letsinger