Influence of surfactant molecular structure on two-dimensional surfactant-DNA complexes: Langmuir balance study

In this paper, we used two simplified methods to understand the influence of surfactant molecular structure on the properties of surfactant DNA complexes. First. we selected Langmuir balance technique, a two-dimensional (2D) method, which allows complex formation under equilibrium-like conditions, avoiding some of the inherent problems involved in Solution. Secondly, two series of simple quaternary ammonium surfactants were used. The cationic surfactant-DNA complex monolayers were formed at the air-water interface through the electrostatic interaction between the ammonium groups of the surfactant and the phosphate groups of DNA at the air-water interface. Combining the results of pi-A isotherms, pi-t isotherms, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements, it was found that the surfactant molecular structures affect the surface properties and morphologies of 2D surfactant-DNA complexes. We expect that the study of the properties of 2D surfactant-DNA complexes will help us to understand the physicochemical properties of surfactant-DNA complexes, which are important for gene delivery. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.