Binding Studies of Ionic Liquid-Capped Gold Nanoparticles with Plasmid DNA

The fact that biomolecules such as enzymes, antigens or DNA exhibit dimensions comparable to those of nanoparticles suggest that biomolecule–nanoparticle hybrid systems may represent new materials revealing combined and synergistic properties originating from the hybrid composite. Gold nanoparticles synthesized in water and subsequently linked to biomolecules have contributed immensely in various life science related applications such as drug-delivery, gene transfer, bioprobes in cell and tissue analysis for visualization of micro and nanoobjects, and for observation of the biological processes at nanoscals. So the bioconjuagtion study of as-prepared IL@AuNPs with biomolecules, IL@AuNPs:DNA, was considered here. The main idea was based on the fact that AuNPs can be good choices as vectors in gene delivery due to their interaction with DNA molecules. A positively ionic liquids (IL) coated on the AuNPs surfaces can interact with negatively charged plasmid DNA. The binding studies were done using UVVis spectrophotometry, TEM, Agarose gel electrophoresis and dye intercalation assay. The stability of prepared IL@AuNPs:DNA were examined using fetal bovin serum and good result was obtained.

Keywords:

Gold nanoparticle , Plasmid DNA , Bioconjugation Studies , Ionic Liquids