Dresden 2014 – wissenschaftliches Programm
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 2: DNA/RNA and related enzymes
BP 2.6: Vortrag
Montag, 31. März 2014, 10:45–11:00, ZEU 250
In situ release of DNA from artificial gene carriers — •Natalja Strelnikova1, Adriana Toma1, Rolf Dootz2, and Thomas Pfohl1 — 1University of Basel, Department of Chemistry, Switzerland — 2Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self Organization, Göttingen, Germany
In chromosomes DNA exists in a highly organized state, wrapped around histones, forming a composite material called chromatin. Decondensation of DNA plays an essential role in gene expression. DNA must be unpacked for transcription, arousing interest in the understanding of underlying interaction mechanisms of DNA decompaction. Our goal is to discover the real-time dynamics of the release of DNA from artificial gene carriers (dendrimer PAMAM 6/DNA). We employ a newly developed soft lithography-based microfluidics reaction device in combination with a lab source X-ray instrument. Using SAXS and SAXD (small angle X-ray scattering and diffraction), we can study the nanostructural evolution of the involved processes. We observe the dynamics of DNA release from the gene carrier using heparin as an anionic competitor. Here, negatively charged heparin competes with phosphate groups of DNA to interact with positively charged amines of PAMAM 6. The impact of the heparin and the salt concentrations as well as the pH on the disintegration of DNA/PAMAM 6 complexes can be analyzed in a temporal manner.