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Synthesis of DNA-encapsulated silica elaborated by sol–gel routes

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Abstract

The highly specific functions of DNA can be used for designing novel functional materials. However, aqueous solubility and biochemical instability of DNA impede its direct utilization as a functional component. Herein, preparation of a hybrid material encapsulating the DNA molecules (double-stranded salmon sperm, 50–5000 base pairs) in robust host—sol–gel-derived silica—has been described. The encapsulation was carried out in two steps: hydrolysis of an acidic tetraethylorthosilicate [Si(OC2H5)4] sol and was followed by condensation near physiological pH upon addition of alkaline DNA-containing solutions. The gelation behavior and structural properties of the DNA–silica hybrids were investigated by 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance and by nitrogen adsorption. The selective adsorption of a DNA-interactive reagent molecule (ethidium bromide) in their diluted aqueous solutions on DNA–silica hybrids confirmed that the DNA molecules remained entrapped within the silica host without any deterioration. A DNA encapsulation mechanism correlating the silica microstructure and DNA holding efficiency has been proposed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors (D.K. and C.D.) acknowledge ÖYP Program of Middle East Technical University and METU-BAP (Grant No. 2007-03-08-05) for the financial support. We would like to thank Meral Yücel and Ayşe Eda Aksoy for valuable advices and discussions.

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  1. Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Middle East Technical University, 06531, Ankara, Turkey

    Derya Kapusuz & Caner Durucan

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  1. Derya Kapusuz
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  2. Caner Durucan
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Correspondence to Caner Durucan.

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Kapusuz, D., Durucan, C. Synthesis of DNA-encapsulated silica elaborated by sol–gel routes. Journal of Materials Research 28, 175–184 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2012.309

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