title: Swelling properties of cross-linked DNA gels.
abstract: This work represents our contribution to the field of physical chemistry of DNA gels, and concerns the synthesis and study of novel chemically cross-linked DNA gels. The use of covalent DNA gels is a very promising way to study DNA-cosolute interactions, as well as the dynamic behaviour of DNA and cationic compacting agents, like lipids, surfactants and polycations. Manipulating DNA in new ways, like DNA networks, allows a better understanding and characterization of DNA-cosolute complexes at the molecular level, and also allows us to follow the assembly structures of these complexes. The use of responsive polymer gels for targeted delivery of toxic and/or labile drugs has, during the past few years, shown to be a promising concept. The features found in the proposed system would find applications in a broader field of gel/drug interaction, for the development of controlled release and targeted delivery devices.
authors.affiliation: Physical Chemistry 1, Centre for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lund University, Box 124, S-22100 Lund, Sweden. diana.costa@fkem1.lu.se
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: M Graça
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Miguel
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lindman
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002627:Chemistry, Physical / Q000379:methods; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D004247:DNA / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D005782:Gels / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D011073:Polyamines / Q000737:chemistry; D000071228:Polyelectrolytes; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D004247:DNA; D005782:Gels; D011073:Polyamines; D000071228:Polyelectrolytes; D011108:Polymers; D013501:Surface-Active Agents