title: Lysozyme coated DNA and DNA/SWNT fibers by solution spinning.
abstract: DNA fibers were prepared by solution spinning of DNA in a lysozyme (LSZ) coagulation/gelation bath. Strong positive charges carried by LSZ protein condensed the DNA (strong negative charged) molecules resulting in self-assembly and the formation of fibrillar structures in a gel-like network. DNA/LSZ fibril formation was found to be dependent on the ratio of DNA to LSZ. A minimum 0.1 wt.-% of LSZ was necessary to condense 0.1 wt.-% of DNA into micro-fibrils. Macroscopic fiber spinning was possible by introducing a 0.1 wt.-% DNA aqueous solution into a 0.2 wt.-% LSZ coagulation bath which resulted in fibers with ≈20 µm diameter. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) were also incorporated into these fibers to explore the possibility for creating hybrid materials. All DNA-based fibers exhibit strong birefringence confirming molecular orientation along the fiber axis. Due to the presence of LSZ, the fibers exhibit antimicrobial activity against bacteria like Micrococcus lysodeikticus.
authors.affiliation: Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, 801 Ferst Drive NW, MRDC-1, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0295, USA.
authors.forename: Dhriti
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nepal
authors.forename: Marilyn L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Minus
authors.forename: Satish
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001718:Birefringence; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry; D008837:Micrococcus / Q000187:drug effects; D009113:Muramidase / Q000737:chemistry*; D049329:Nanostructures; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005782:Gels; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D004247:DNA; D009113:Muramidase