The interaction of a novel ruthenium (II) complex with self‐assembled DNA film on silicon surface

Calf thymus DNA (ct‐DNA) films were immobilized onto patterned silicon wafers through electrostatic self‐assembly technology and interacted with a novel dinuclear ruthenium (II) complex, [(bpy)₂Ru(H₂bpi)Ru(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₄, which were demonstrated by using a confocal optical microscope. The morphology of the DNA film was measured by atomic force microscopy and the results show that the DNA strands have been folded into coiled conformations and aggregated into circles with diameters between 18 and 55 nm. The interaction process was also monitored by UV‐visible and fluorescence spectra and investigated by X‐ray photoelectron spectra. The results show that the Ru (II) complex interacts with ct‐DNA by the intercalative mode as it behaves in aqueous solutions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.