Leung S.W., Bartolin S., Daniels C.K., Lai J.C.K.
Idaho State University, US
Keywords: DNA, membrane, surfactant, transport
In current advances of biotechnology, various models of introduction of DNA into cells to alter their gene expression have important biomedical and bioengineering applications. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying how DNA’s cross cell and nuclear membranes are poorly understood. Surfactants are known to influence functions of many proteins in membranes, cells and tissues; however, the natural configurations of DNA’s are more stable and are expected to behave differently compared to proteins, especially proteins with smaller size. Information for surfactants on DNA transport is nearly non-existent. We previously systematically reported how surfactants of different hydrophilicities affected three metabolically important enzymes (namely, glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and malate dehydrogenase (MDH)) of various molecular masses and their transport behaviors through a semipermeable membrane at a pH range (6.5-7.4) and concentrations relevant to body functions. In this study, we employed a similar approach to investigate how membrane pore size, surfactant properties (anionic, cationic, size, non-ionic), pH, would affect the membrane transport of different DNA’s. All these factors would modulate DNA transport to certain extent. Results of this research study would have many implications and applications in bioengineering and cell signaling, further research is on-going and needed.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Nanotechnology 2008: Microsystems, Photonics, Sensors, Fluidics, Modeling, and Simulation – Technical Proceedings of the 2008 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 3
Published: June 1, 2008
Pages: 324 - 326
Industry sectors: Medical & Biotech | Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topic: Micro & Bio Fluidics, Lab-on-Chip
ISBN: 978-1-4200-8505-1