Molecular self-assembly, for example using DNA as a ligand, has enabled the realization of nanoengineered composites for studying and controlling RET. Indeed, it has been established that nanoparticles made of gold can be attached to DNA by adding a thiol or disulfide moiety on either end (5' or 3') of the oligonucleotide, and adsorbing that surface to the nanoparticle, and subsequent developments have permitted binding of DNA templates to silver. The binding of DNA to other metals such as palladium and platinum has been less successful because there is greater competition by other oxidizing agents to displace the thiol-modified oligonucleotide, and because of the weaker affinity of thiol groups to the other metals compared to gold.