Microarray-based in vitro evaluation of DNA oligomer libraries designed in silico.

We report on the microarray-based in vitro evaluation of two libraries of DNA oligonucleotide sequences, designed in silico for applications in supramolecular self-assembly, such as DNA computing and DNA-based nanosciences. In this first study which is devoted to the comparison of sequence motif properties theoretically predicted with their performance in real-life, the DNA-directed immobilization (DDI) of proteins was used as an example of DNA-based self-assembly. Since DDI technologies, DNA computing, and DNA nanoconstruction essentially depend on similar prereguisites, in particular, large and uniform hybridization efficiencies combined with low nonspecific cross-reactivity between individual sequences, we anticipate that the microarray approach demonstrated here will enable rapid evaluation of other DNA sequence libraries.     

The dielectric properties of water in its different states of interaction

A tutorial on dielectric (relaxation) spectrometry of liquids is given in this article. Some methods of measuring complex (electric) permittivity spectra are briefly described. Results for water are presented and related to characteristic properties of the liquid structure and to models of the molecular dynamics, particularly as resulting from computer simulation studies. Dielectric spectra for aqueous solutions of low weight electrolytes, polyelectrolytes, small molecules, and polymers are discussed to illustrate effects of kinetic depolarization, structure saturation, as well as positive, negative, and hydrophobic hydration. Reference is also made to fluctuations in the hydrogen bond network of mixtures of water with liquids that are completely miscible with this unique solvent.