The discovery of the spatial structure of the double-stranded DNA molecule is one of the greatest achievements of science. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the DNA double helix is a distinguished symbol of modern biology. Divided into three parts, DNA Liquid-Crystalline Dispersions and Nanoconstructions covers the information presently available on the condensation of various forms of DNA and describes practical applications of the peculiar properties of the liquid-crystalline particles. Part 1 describes the main methods used for condensation of linear high- and low-molecular mass DNA, including their complexes with polycations and circular DNA Part 2 compares the state and reactivity of double-stranded nucleic acid molecules fixed spatially in the liquid-crystalline as well as the same molecules under intracellular conditions Part 3 explains how the discovery of the fundamental principles underlying the formation of nucleic acid liquid-crystalline dispersion particles opens a gate for the operational use of these principles in the area of nanotechnology and biosensorics With detailed coverage of DNA liquid crystals, this book provides an understanding of the information presently available on the condensation of various forms of DNA. Double-stranded nucleic acids, spatially organized in a liquid-crystalline structure, represent an important polyfunctional tool for molecular biology and nanobiotechnology. The possibility of programmed and controlled variations in the properties of these molecules and in the characteristics of their liquid-crystalline dispersions, provides wide options for the formation of biologically active three-dimensional structures with unique, widely applicable properties.

Evolutionally optimized biomolecules and their complexes present attractive objects in the production of functionalized nanoobjects. Indeed, nucleic acid-based molecules are primary candidates as building blocks for development of nanoscale systems and devices.

Written for chemists, physicists, molecular biologists, and students in related fields, Nanostructures and Nanoconstructions Based on DNA covers specific properties of metallic nanoparticles, and compares their properties with those related to nanoobjects formed by biological molecules. It also discloses details of formation and physicochemical peculiarities of the DNA nanostructures and DNA-based nanoconstructions. Furthermore, the book considers:

• The peculiarities of two approaches to structural DNA nanotechnology, i.e. to creation of spatial nanoobjects formed by DNA molecules and their complexes: (i) the hybridization approach and (ii) the liquid-crystalline approach
• The physicochemical properties of DNA nanostructures as well as "liquid" and "rigid" DNA-based nanoconstructions
• The connection of liquid crystalline phase formation in DNA with possible nanotechnological applications

This timely reference covers more DNA physics and molecular biology than any other published title. The authors discuss how nucleic acid molecules and their complexes with chemical and biologically active compounds are an area of increasing significance in the development of various nanoscale systems and devices of practical importance.

The discovery of the spatial structure of the double-stranded DNA molecule is one of the greatest achievements of science. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the DNA double helix is a distinguished symbol of modern biology.
Divided into three parts, DNA Liquid-Crystalline Dispersions and Nanoconstructions covers the information presently available on the condensation of various forms of DNA and describes practical applications of the peculiar properties of the liquid-crystalline particles.

• Part 1 describes the main methods used for condensation of linear high- and low-molecular mass DNA, including their complexes with polycations and circular DNA
• Part 2 compares the state and reactivity of double-stranded nucleic acid molecules fixed spatially in the liquid-crystalline as well as the same molecules under intracellular conditions
• Part 3 explains how the discovery of the fundamental principles underlying the formation of nucleic acid liquid-crystalline dispersion particles opens a gate for the operational use of these principles in the area of nanotechnology and biosensorics

With detailed coverage of DNA liquid crystals, this book provides an understanding of the information presently available on the condensation of various forms of DNA. Double-stranded nucleic acids, spatially organized in a liquid-crystalline structure, represent an important polyfunctional tool for molecular biology and nanobiotechnology. The possibility of programmed and controlled variations in the properties of these molecules and in the characteristics of their liquid-crystalline dispersions, provides wide options for the formation of biologically active three-dimensional structures with unique, widely applicable properties.

Evolutionally optimized biomolecules and their complexes present attractive objects in the production of functionalized nanoobjects. Indeed, nucleic acid-based molecules are primary candidates as building blocks for development of nanoscale systems and devices. Written for chemists, physicists, molecular biologists, and students in related fields, Nanostructures and Nanoconstructions Based on DNA covers specific properties of metallic nanoparticles, and compares their properties with those related to nanoobjects formed by biological molecules. It also discloses details of formation and physicochemical peculiarities of the DNA nanostructures and DNA-based nanoconstructions. Furthermore, the book considers: The peculiarities of two approaches to structural DNA nanotechnology, i.e. to creation of spatial nanoobjects formed by DNA molecules and their complexes: (i) the hybridization approach and (ii) the liquid-crystalline approach The physicochemical properties of DNA nanostructures as well as "liquid" and "rigid" DNA-based nanoconstructions The connection of liquid crystalline phase formation in DNA with possible nanotechnological applications This timely reference covers more DNA physics and molecular biology than any other published title. The authors discuss how nucleic acid molecules and their complexes with chemical and biologically active compounds are an area of increasing significance in the development of various nanoscale systems and devices of practical importance.

This book examines the peculiarities of the circular dichroism (CD) spectra of the double-stranded (ds) DNA cholesteric liquid-crystalline dispersions (CLCDs). The main physico-chemical properties formed as a result of the phase exclusion of these molecules in water-salt or water-salt-polymer-containing solutions are examined. In addition, the main principles of the theory of optical properties of imperfect, absorbing, cholesteric liquid crystals is discussed.