Chirality of sulforhodamine dye molecules incorporated in DNA thin films

Abstract

Thin films formed from salmon sperm DNA reacted with a cationic surfactant (CTMA-Cl) included up to 25 wt % fluorescent molecule sulforhodamine (SRh). SRh effect on DNA chirality and vice versa was investigated by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The CD signals at 250-265 nm indicate that DNA chirality was maintained or enhanced. Induced CD (iCD) signal at 580-610 nm indicates that SRh is chiral in DNA/CTMA. iCD signal from both solutions and thin films generally increases with SRh concentration. The chirality induced in SRh molecules and the absence of significant DNA reduction in chirality are clear indicators of strong binding to DNA/CTMA. © 2008 American Institute of Physics.