Thin multilayer films and microcapsules containing DNA quadruplex motifs

Abstract

The assembly of multifunctional nanostructures bearing G-quadruplex motifs broadens the prospects of using G-quadruplexes as therapeutic carriers. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of an oligodeoxyguanosine, G15-mer polymer conjugate. We demonstrate that G15-mer oligonucleotides grafted to a polymer chain preserve the ability to self-assemble into ordered structures. The G-quadruplex-polymer conjugates were assembled onto a surface via hybridization with 30-mer cytosine strands, C30-mer, using a layer-by-layer approach to form microcapsules. A mechanism for the sequential assembly of the multilayer films and microcapsules is presented. We further investigate the photophysi..