Date of Last Revision
2023-05-02 14:17:10
Major
Chemical Engineering - Cooperative Education
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2015
Abstract
The goal of this project is to improve our understanding of nucleic acid interactions with cationic polymers with the theory that the polymers could protect the nucleic acids from degradation caused by biological enzymes. We seek to understand what the limitations of the cationic polymers are which, in this case, is mainly polymer-DNA compatibility. This experiment utilized peptide-dextran hybrid polymers with differing functionalizations to condense anionic nucleic acids into nanometer-sized polyplexes. Techniques of dynamic light scattering and zeta-potential were utilized to determine the particle sizes and surface charges of polyplexes.
In this experiment, dextran with a molecular weight of 20 kDa was used. The dextran was then functionalized in four combinations: R3H3C or R5H5C conjugations each with and without CB-functionality. Additionally, N/P ratios of 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 30 were tested for each combination. The results, quantified in Tables 1 to 4, and summarized in Figure 10 and Figure 11 near the end of this document, indicate dextran polymer compatibility with DNA improves with the addition of CB-functionality, using the larger R5H5C peptide over R3H3C, and increasing N/P ratios.
Research Sponsor
Dr. Gang Cheng
First Reader
Dr. Edward Evans
Second Reader
Dr. Jie Zheng
Recommended Citation
Obrzut, Matthew S., "Polymer Interactions with Nucleic Acids Under Various Physiological Conditions" (2015). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 14.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/14
Included in
Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins Commons, Biochemical and Biomolecular Engineering Commons, Carbohydrates Commons