Abstract
Dielectric spectroscopy was tested as an alternative tool to study degradation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in its solid form. The specimens, prepared from biological DNA, were periodically heated and cooled according to a programmed scheme. Simultaneously, their dielectric parameters (permittivity and dielectric loss) were monitored as function of frequency and temperature. The analysis of Bode plots allowed to determine the upper limit of thermal stability of solid DNA at 120 °C, because heating at higher temperatures resulted in irreversible changes. These changes were identified as denaturation by gel electrophoresis and UV–vis absorption methods.
Highlights
The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a macromolecule of fundamental importance for all living organisms
In a previous work [31], we reported on spectroscopic ellipsometry as a convenient tool to analyse thermal degradation of DNA transformed in submicrometer, thin films
Dielectric spectroscopy has proven to be an interesting alternative method for studying changes in DNA exposed to elevated temperatures
Summary
The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a macromolecule of fundamental importance for all living organisms. Many unique chemical and physical properties distinguish DNA from synthetic polymers, due to its ability to maintain the structure of the double-helix. This fact, since the beginning of the last decade, has motivated the search for new applications in fields outside of the life sciences. In such applications, DNA is used as a bulk material, in its natural form or in a complex with an amphiphilic (surfactant) molecule. An extensive discussion of non-standard DNA applications can be found in recent review articles, for example in [1,2]
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