Highly ordered quasi-nanowires from fluorescent semiconductor CdSe/ZnS spherical (quantum dots) or rod-like (quantum rods) nanoparticles were produced using DNA as a template. Positively charged nanoparticles were fixed along the negatively charged DNA backbone by electrostatic interaction. After incubation of the solution of DNA and nanoparticles at different stoichiometric ratios the complexes were applied to the hydrophobic surface and stretched using the molecular combing technique. Here, we demonstrate that fluorescent patterns with desirable morphology and properties can be formed by varying the nanoparticle charge and shape and their stoichiometry in the complex with DNA. © 2006 IOP Publishing Ltd.