DNA compaction onto hydrophobic surfaces by different cationic surfactants

DNA compaction by alkyltrimethylammonium surfactants at hydrophobized silica surfaces and the effect of the counterion, as well as the hydrocarbon chain length, was investigated by in situ null-ellipsometry. In addition, DNA compaction in the presence of a gemini surfactant, hexyl-alpha,omega-bis(dodecyldimethylammonium bromide), was studied. The type of cationic amphiphile used was found not to have a pronounced effect on the mixed DNA-cationic surfactant adsorbed layer thickness, although the surface concentration excess for the mixed layers seemed to follow the same trend as that for DNA-free surfactant layers. Interestingly, it was also found that the stability of the mixed adsorbed layer largely depends on the cationic surfactant used.