1st Edition

DNA Liquid-Crystalline Dispersions and Nanoconstructions

    304 Pages 19 Color & 128 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    304 Pages 19 Color & 128 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    The discovery of the spatial structure of the double-stranded DNA molecule is one of the greatest achievements of science. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the DNA double helix is a distinguished symbol of modern biology.

    Divided into three parts, DNA Liquid-Crystalline Dispersions and Nanoconstructions covers the information presently available on the condensation of various forms of DNA and describes practical applications of the peculiar properties of the liquid-crystalline particles.

    • Part 1 describes the main methods used for condensation of linear high- and low-molecular mass DNA, including their complexes with polycations and circular DNA
    • Part 2 compares the state and reactivity of double-stranded nucleic acid molecules fixed spatially in the liquid-crystalline as well as the same molecules under intracellular conditions
    • Part 3 explains how the discovery of the fundamental principles underlying the formation of nucleic acid liquid-crystalline dispersion particles opens a gate for the operational use of these principles in the area of nanotechnology and biosensorics


    With detailed coverage of DNA liquid crystals, this book provides an understanding of the information presently available on the condensation of various forms of DNA. Double-stranded nucleic acids, spatially organized in a liquid-crystalline structure, represent an important polyfunctional tool for molecular biology and nanobiotechnology. The possibility of programmed and controlled variations in the properties of these molecules and in the characteristics of their liquid-crystalline dispersions, provides wide options for the formation of biologically active three-dimensional structures with unique, widely applicable properties.

    THE LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE STATE OF DNA
    The Condensed State of the High-Molecular-Mass Double-Stranded DNA
    The DNA Condensation and Aggregation
    Polyphosphates as a Simplified DNA Model
    Models of High-Molecular-Mass DNA Condensation in Water–Polymeric Solutions
    Grosberg Model of High-Molecular-Mass DNA Condensation

    Liquid-Crystalline Phases of the Low-Molecular-Mass Double-Stranded DNA Molecules
    Ordering of Low-Molecular-Mass Double-Stranded DNAs
    Brief Concept of Types of Liquid-Crystalline Phases
    Liquid-Crystalline Phases of Low-Molecular-Mass Double-Stranded DNA Molecules

    Dispersions of Low-Molecular-Mass Double-Stranded DNA Molecules
    Low-Molecular-Mass Double-Stranded DNA Dispersions in Water–Polymer Solutions
    Formation of DNA Dispersions in PEG-Containing Solutions

    Circular Dichroism of Nucleic Acid Dispersions
    Circular Dichroism as a Method of Proof of Cholesteric Packing of Nucleic Acid Molecules in Dispersion Particles and Analysis of Their Properties
    Effect of Different Factors on Formation and Properties of CLCD Particles
    Parameter of Nucleic Acid Molecule Order in CLCD Particles

    Polymorphism of Liquid-Crystalline Structures Formed by (DNA-Polycation) Complexes
    Some Peculiarities of Interaction of DNA Molecules with Polycations
    Specificity of Chitosan Binding to DNA
    Formation of Dispersions of (DNA–Chitosan) Complexes
    CD Spectra of Dispersions Formed by (DNA–Chitosan) Complexes
    X-Ray Parameters of Phases Formed by (DNA–Chitosan) Complexes
    Dependence of Efficiency of CLCD Formation by (DNA–Chitosan) Complexes on Various Factors
    Peculiarities of Interaction of Chitosan Molecules with Nucleic Acids
    Attempt at a Theoretical Description of Interactions Occurring in the (DNA–Chitosan) Complexes and Resulting in the Formation of Liquid-Crystalline Dispersions with Different Optical Properties

    Liquid-Crystalline State of DNA Circular Molecules
    Phase Exclusion of Circular Molecules of Nucleic Acids
    Formation of Dispersions From Circular Superhelical DNA
    CD Spectra of Circular Superhelical DNA Dispersions Under Conditions That Modify Parameters of Their Secondary Structure
    Packing Density and Rearrangement of the Spatial Structure of Superhelical DNA Molecules in LCD Particles
    Topological Forms and Rearrangement of the Spatial Organization of Superhelical DNA Molecules in LCD Particles

    DNA LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE FORMS AND THEIR BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY
    Liquid-Crystalline State of DNA in Biological Objects
    DNA and Biological Objects

    DNA Reactions under Conditions Causing Liquid-Crystalline Dispersions
    Molecular Crowding
    Condensation of DNA under the Effect of Chitosan in Conditions Causing Molecular Crowding
    Activity of Nucleolytic Enzymes Under Conditions of Molecular Crowding
    Activity of Proteolytic Enzymes under Conditions of Molecular Crowding

    DNA LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE DISPERSIONS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOSENSORICS
    Nanoconstructions Based on Nucleic Acid Molecules
    The General Concept of Nanotechnology
    Biological Molecules as a Background for Nanodesign
    Two Strategies of Nanodesign Based on NA Molecules

    Biosensors Based on Nucleic Acids
    General Concept of Construction and Operation of Biosensors
    Double-Stranded DNA Molecule as Polyfunctional Biosensing Unit
    Content and Principle of Operation of an Optical Biosensor Based on DNA Liquid-Crystalline Dispersions
    DNA CLCD Particles as Sensing Units
    Sandwich-Type Biosensing Units Based on (DNA–Polycation) Liquid-Crystalline Dispersions
    DNA Nanoconstruction as a Sensing Unit (New Type of Biodetectors)
    Hydrogels Containing DNA NaCs as New "Film-Type Biodetectors

    Index

    Biography

    Yevdokimov Yuri Mikhailovich - Dr. Sci. (Chemistry), Professor: Head of the Condensed State of Nucleic Acids laboratory at Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
    Interests: chemistry of natural and physiologically relevant compounds (especially, nucleic acids), lyotropic liquid crystals of biopolymers, biosensors, and nanotechnology of nucleic acids.

    Salyanov Victor Ivanovich - Ph.D. (Chemistry): Senior research scientist of the Condensed State of Nucleic Acids laboratory at Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
    Interests: chemistry of natural and physiologically relevant compounds, lyotropic liquid crystals of nucleic acids, and nanotechnology of nucleic acids.

    Semenov Sergey Victorovich - Ph.D. (Physics): Senior research scientist at the Russian Research Center’s Kurchatov Institute
    Interests: physics of liquid crystals, elementary particles physics and interaction of radiation with matter

    Skuridin Sergey Gennadievich - Dr. Sci. (Molecular Biology): Leading research scientist of the Condensed State of Nucleic Acids laboratory at Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
    Interests: biochemistry of natural and physiologically relevant compounds, lyotropic liquid crystals of nucleic acids, biosensors, and nanotechnology of nucleic acids.