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The interaction of synthetic polynucleotide double strands with a natural lipid, oleic acid, was examined in diluted aqueous solutions by circular dichroism spectra, UV-absorption measurements, and surface plasmon resonance biosensor investigations. The investigations were performed with defined double and triple stranded oligo- and polydeoxyribonucleotides. Whereas duplexes are influenced by oleic acid ligandation, which could not be removed by ethanol dialysis procedure, no binding occurs to triple stranded DNA. The spectroscopic results indicate that oleic acid shows molecular recognition to AT b.p. motifs by groove binding. GC tracts - in particular alternating d[G-C] motifs - are strongly influenced by ligand interaction up to a ratio of one molecule per two base pairs. Likewise, the spectroscopic and morphologic changes in the supramolecular association of the complexes after treatment occur even after dialysis procedure. This was monitored with scanning force microscopy (SFM) as well. Additionally, monolayers of biotinylated DNA duplexes were immobilized on a streptavidin sensor-layer for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) observations. Small portions of the ligand were injected in continuous flow. Loosely bound molecules were removed by washing procedure. Injections of sodium hydroxide denature the DNA, releasing the tightly bound effectors. The amount of tightly bound oleic acid molecules was determined at one molecule per 2-3 base pairs. As consequence, a new mechanism of regulation of gene expression at nuclear membrane or by lipids inside DNA double helix has to be discussed.

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IV-VI compound semiconductors are of interest due to their potential application as thermoelectric material, infrared detectors and semiconductor lasers. The use of PbTe based semiconductors is usually in the middle and far infrared region. Magnetron sputtering of PbTe thin films from a single target on Si (111) was performed under various conditions. Characterization of the films shows that PbTe films on Si (111) substrate are suitable for preparation of infrared (IR) detectors. By heat treatment novel IR detectors can be developed in the electron absorption region of 4 – 10 μm.

Thin films of PbTe were deposited on Si (111) wafers and glass substrates at a constant power for different times and at a constant time at various power levels. In some cases substrate heating to a temperature of ∼673K was performed during sputtering. Structural analysis by Xray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM) were performed. The composition of the PbTe film was evaluated by Auger depth profile. At an appropriate combination of power and deposition time only (200) and its higher order peaks were observed in the PbTe film. It is expected that it is feasible to obtain epitaxial PbTe film by RF magnetron sputtering.