POLYMORPHIC PHASE BEHAVIOR OF DNA – DOPE – GEMINI SURFACTANT AGGREGATES:

Polymorphic phase behavior of DNA – dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) – alkane--a,w-diyl-bis(dodecyldimethylammonium bromides) (CnGS12, spacer n = 2 and 12) aggregates was examined in the range 10 – 80 °C. At molar ratio DOPE: CnGS12 = 0.15, aggregates form a condensed lamellar phase with DNA strands packed irregularly (Lac). The increase in temperature induces Lac ® condensed inverted hexagonal phase (HIIc) transition. The phase transition temperatures ~ 46 °C and ~ 90 °C for DNA + DOPE + CnGS12, n = 2 and 12 aggregates were determined at the equal volume fractions of both phases. Key words: gemini surfactants – DNA – dioleylphosphatidylethanolamine – small angle X-ray diffractio