DNA Liquid-Crystalline Dispersions and Nanoconstructions

With detailed coverage of DNA liquid crystals, this book explores the information available on the condensation of various forms of DNA. The text presents the practical applications of the peculiar properties of the liquid-crystalline state of nucleic acids. It also shows how double-stranded nucleic acids represent an important tool for nanotechnology. The authors address modeling the state of the DNA molecules under laboratory conditions, which clarifies of the role of these molecules in living cells and for directed, artificial regulation of biological activity of the DNA by various chemical and biologically active compounds of medical importance.

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.

The Liquid-Crystalline State of DNA: Condensed state of high molecular mass DNA. Liquid-crystalline phases of low-molecular mass double-stranded DNA. Dispersions of low molecular mass double-stranded DNA. Circular dichroism of nucleic acids dispersions. Polymorphism of liquid-crystalline structures formed by interaction of DNA with polycations. Liquid-crystalline state of circular DNA. Conclusion. The Liquid-Crystalline Forms of DNA Under Endocellular Conditions and Biological Potency of DNA: Liquid-crystalline state of DNA in biological systems. DNA reactions under conditions ensuring formation of liquid-crystalline dispersions. Conclusion. DNA Liquid-Crystalline Dispersions in Nanotechnology and Biosensorics: Nanostructures based on nucleic acids. Biosensors based on nucleic acids. Conclusion.