Encapsulation of deoxyribonucleic acid molecules in silica and hybrid organic-silica gels.

The encapsulation of small DNA molecules was attempted in pure silica and in hybrid polyvinyl alcohol-silica gels. The materials which were obtained were examined by nitrogen adsorption, and by 29Si and 31P NMR spectroscopy. The extraction of the DNA molecules from the gels was examined in a buffer aqueous solution as well as in an acidic medium. The results suggested that the DNA molecules remained trapped inside the gels due to a permanent bonding to the gel network. Copyright 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers