Abstract
A DNA-immobilized-gel could be used for functional materials such as sensors or adsorbents of carcinogenic agents which bind DNA by the intercalation. In the present study, DNA-polyelectrolyte complex gels are prepared by the method utilizing the complex formation between polyanions (DNA) and polycations (copolymer of N,N-dimethylaminopropylacrylamide, methyl chloride quarternaly and N,N-dimethylacrylamide). Swelling and mechanical properties of the gels are measured as functions of the concentration of crosslinkers and the molar ratio of cationic monomers. Adsorption of acridine orange (AO) as a kind of DNA intercalators to the complex gel is measured, and the adsorption efficiency of the gel is found to depend on the monomer composition of the matrix gel network.
