Controlling the size and adhesion of DNA droplets using surface- enriched DNA molecules.

TitleControlling the size and adhesion of DNA droplets using surface- enriched DNA molecules.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2024
AuthorsGao, Daqian, Sam Wilken, Anna B. N. Nguyen, Gabrielle R. Abraham, Tim Liedl, and Omar A. Saleh
JournalSoft Matter
Volume20
Issue6
Pagination1275-1281
Date Published2024 Feb 07
ISSN1744-6848
KeywordsDNA, Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions, Physical Phenomena, Polymers, Surface-Active Agents
Abstract

Liquid droplets of biomolecules serve as organizers of the cellular interior and are of interest in biosensing and biomaterials applications. Here, we investigate means to tune the interfacial properties of a model biomolecular liquid consisting of multi-armed DNA 'nanostar' particles. We find that long DNA molecules that have binding affinity for the nanostars are preferentially enriched on the interface of nanostar droplets, thus acting as surfactants. Fluorescent measurements indicate that, in certain conditions, the interfacial density of the surfactant is around 20 per square micron, indicative of a sparse brush-like structure of the long, polymeric DNA. Increasing surfactant concentration leads to decreased droplet size, down to the sub-micron scale, consistent with droplet coalesence being impeded by the disjoining pressure created by the brush-like surfactant layer. Added DNA surfactant also keeps droplets from adhering to both hydrophobic and hydrophilic solid surfaces, apparently due to this same disjoining effect of the surfactant layer. We thus demonstrate control of the size and adhesive properties of droplets of a biomolecular liquid, with implications for basic biophysical understanding of such droplets, as well as for their applied use.

DOI10.1039/d3sm01264f
Alternate JournalSoft Matter
PubMed ID38236226