Interfacial immobilisation of DNA molecules

Abstract

The recent development of DNA biosensor and local gene delivery technologies has increased the need for more effective interfacial immobilisation and detection of DNA molecules. How to control the structure and composition of DNA confined at the interfacial region represents an important challenge because inadequately immobilised probe DNA molecules constrain their binding with the complementary strands during interfacial hybridisation. In spite of extensive effort over the past two decades, our ability in manipulating DNA surface conformation and structural stability still lags behind. This review assesses recent advances in two areas: local controlled gene delivery and biosensor development. It aims to introduce the representative scientific studies devoted to the development of approaches to confine DNA for surface based gene delivery and to immobilise probe DNA onto the substrate surface for biosensor based hybridization.