Scanning probe microscopy of biomolecular systems and pharmaceutical materials: The fate of DNA-dendrimer complexes exposed to degradation enzymes

COLL 10

Clive J Roberts, Martyn C Davies, Stephanie Allen, Phil M Williams, and Saul JB Tendler. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
Previously we have shown through the utilization of controlled probe chemistries and novel data acquisition modes that AFM is capable of the manipulation and imaging of individual DNA and protein molecules, polymorphic drug discrimination, identification of drug crystal faces, dissolution measurements from individual crystal faces and monitoring drug crystal growth. We have exploited scanning thermal microscopy for high-resolution calorimetric polymorphic discrimination. In addition the development of real-time molecular visualization has allowed the study of DNA-polymer condensation processes. I will show how this latter work has been taken forward to study the effect of biomolecular stresses on DNA-condensate structural integrity at the molecular level. This work will focus upon DNA-dendrimer complexes and our efforts to relate condensate structure to its fate on exposure to DNaseI. I will also highlight our work that aims to improve the resolution of biomolecular structure using carbon nanotube AFM probes and a novel cryogenic imaging system.
 

Nanoscale Imaging of Biological Systems

Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry
The 225th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 23-27, 2003