Molecular recognition controlled delivery of a small molecule from a nanocarrier to natural DNA.

Controlled and targeted release of an active small molecule at the site of demand is very crucial in pharmaceutical applications. In the present article, we have reported a very simple yet unique chemical system which can be used for the controlled and quantitative transfer of a small molecule from a nanocarrier to natural DNA using an external stimulus. Due to the high sensitivity of emission intensity toward its microenvironments, an ultrafast molecular rotor has been used as a spectroscopic probe. SDS micelle has been used as a nanocarrier and the cyclodextrin molecules are used as an external stimulus. The molecular recognition property of the stimulus toward the hydrophobic chain of the surfactant molecules has been utilized for controlled transfer of the small molecule from the nanocarrier to DNA. Through detailed steady state and time-resolved spectroscopic studies, it has been demonstrated that quantitative transfer of the small molecules from nanocarrier to the natural DNA molecules could be achieved. The present chemical system might be very promising in the field of controlled and targeted drug delivery.