Patterned and switchable surfaces for biomaterial applications

Andrew Hook – Patterned and switchable surfaces for biomaterial applicationsTo observe the influence of hydrophobic forces on the interaction of DNA withALAPP, DNA adsorption was observed in solutions containing varied amounts ofethanol, from 0-50% (v/v). Higher ethanol content could not be measured because ofquenching of Picogreen ® fluorescence and high evaporation rates. The added ethanoldecreases the free energy of the liquid/solid interface by decreasing thethermodynamic penalty for having a polar solvent exposed to hydrophobic moietieson the surface [213]. Thus, increasing ethanol content should decrease the drivingforce for DNA adsorption if hydrophobic interactions play a role. Electrostaticinteractions on the other hand should remain unchanged. Interestingly, DNAdecreased with increasing ethanol content (Figure 3.8) suggesting that hydrophobicinteractions indeed contribute to DNA adsorption to ALAPP.3-123