DNA Interactions with Polymers and Surfactants

摘要

The physical interactions of DNA with polymers and surfactants are of interest due to the potential benefits in biotechnology and the use of DNA as a building block in self-assembled structures. Although the book contains information about the characterization of cationic polymers and lipids as nonviral gene delivery vehicles, at its core it focuses primarily on the physical interaction and modeling of DNA with small molecules, polymers, surfactants, and with itself. In particular, this book begins with an investigation of DNA as a polyelectrolyte and a description of its biophysical properties in solution and as a single molecule. The interaction of DNA with surfactants, cationic polymers, and lipids is covered next, with the focus first being on single molecule models and then on interactions in solution. The information presented provides molecular models of what the different structures of DNA with these molecules would look like. Finally, the book gives an overview of how DNA is compacted and decompacted inside the nucleus by investigating a simple charged cylinder model.