Effects of novel quasi‐interpenetrating network/gold nanoparticles composite matrices on DNA sequencing performances by CE

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with particle sizes of about 20, 40, and 60 nm were prepared and added into a quasi-interpenetrating network (quasi-IPN) composed of linear polyacrylamide (LPA) with different viscosity-average molecular masses of 1.5, 3.3, and 6.5 MDa and poly-N,N-dimethylacrylamide (PDMA) to form polymer/metal composite matrices, respectively. These novel matrices could improve ssDNA sequencing performances due to interactions between GNPs and polymer chains and the formation of physical cross-linking points as demonstrated by intrinsic viscosities and glass transition temperatures. The effects of the parameters in relation to quasi-IPN/GNPs matrices, such as GNP contents, GNP particle sizes, LPA molecular masses, and solution concentrations, on ssDNA sequencing performances were studied. In the presence of GNPs, the separation had the advantages of high resolution, speediness, excellent reproducibility, long shelf life and easy automation. Therefore, less viscous matrix solutions (with moderate size GNPs) due to lower solution concentration and lower-molecular-mass LPA could be used to replace more viscous solutions (without GNPs) due to higher solution concentration or higher-molecular-mass LPA to separate DNA, while the sieving performances were approximate even higher, which helped to achieve full automation especial for capillary array electrophoresis (CAE) and microchip electrophoresis (MCE).

Electrophoretic methods for separation of nanoparticles

“…Nilsson et al [20] reviewed applications of nanoparticles in CE. For example, nanoparticles can be used for evaluation of zeta-potentials [21], enantioseparation [22], protein separations [23], genotyping by affinity CE [24], DNA sequencing [25] or electrokinetic chromatography [26]. Clearly nanoparticles can enhance separation of molecules [27 -29].…”

Less common applications of monoliths: V. Monolithic scaffolds modified with nanostructures for chromatographic separations and tissue engineering

“…For example, the nanoparticle/polymer composites prepared from gold nanoparticles and poly(ethylene oxide) were used as a sieving matrix for the separation of long DNA fragments [] and detection of DNA mutations []. Efficient separation of DNA was also achieved using a quasi‐interpenetrating network composed of linear polyacrylamide and poly( N,N ‐dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA) containing gold nanoparticles []. Similarly, PDMA‐functionalized gold nanoparticles were incorporated into a quasi‐interpenetrating network composed of linear polyacrylamide and PDMA to form a nanoparticle/polymer composite sieving matrix for DNA sequencing [].…”

Application of gold nanoparticles in separation sciences

“…Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a powerful and straightforward method for the determination of size (in several studies including size distribution) and shape of NPs 34. It has been used for characterization of GNPs in most of the below cited applications of GNPs in separation sciences 35–60. The advantage of this method stems from relatively direct observation of the real morphological shape and size of NPs and the capability of detailed analysis of digitized photographs utilizing software for image analysis.…”

“…The other very common method is UV–vis absorption spectrophotometry 35–37, 39–42, 45–49, 52–55, 58–62, 66–68. This spectral technique allows an in situ direct analysis of colloidal solutions (both hydrosols and organosols).…”