05 July 2012. Our manuscript on DNA-micelle interaction, which is focused on a theory developed by Helmut Schiessel, has just been accepted in Soft Matter. This is our 50th peer-reviewed article!
Abstract: We present a theory of spherical micelle formation from cationic amphiphiles in the absence and in the presence of DNA. The
distribution of micelle sizes as well as the critical micelle and aggregation concentrations (cmc and cac) are calculated. Micelle
formation is favored by the hydrophobic tails but disfavored by the entropic cost associated with counterion condensation. Counterion
release drives the complexation between DNA and amphiphiles and causes micellation at a much smaller concentration
than in the absence of DNA. The stiffness of double-stranded DNA favors the formation of large micelles leading to a bimodal
distribution of micelle sizes.
Reference:
Abstract: We present a theory of spherical micelle formation from cationic amphiphiles in the absence and in the presence of DNA. The
distribution of micelle sizes as well as the critical micelle and aggregation concentrations (cmc and cac) are calculated. Micelle
formation is favored by the hydrophobic tails but disfavored by the entropic cost associated with counterion condensation. Counterion
release drives the complexation between DNA and amphiphiles and causes micellation at a much smaller concentration
than in the absence of DNA. The stiffness of double-stranded DNA favors the formation of large micelles leading to a bimodal
distribution of micelle sizes.
Reference:
Theory of DNA-cationic micelle complexation
H. Schiessel, M. D. Correa-Rodriguez, S. Rudiuk, D. Baigl, K. Yoshikawa
Soft Matter 2012, 8, 9406-9411
- doi : 10.1039/c2sm25603g