DNA Intercalation in Neutral Multilamellar Membranes: Experiments and Theory

We report both an experimental and a theoretical work on the effect of confinement on a biological polymer (DNA) incorporated to multilamellar phase. We can see that even when no electrostatic interaction are involved this semi-flexible polymer can be incorporated in between the membranes. X-ray provides experimental evidence for the existence of a mixed DNA/Phospholipid structure. The nature of the DNA ordering is briefly described. A theoretical model is developed to describe the phase diagram. We emphasize the role of the isotropic/nematic transition of the DNA molecules to explain the ability to confine DNA in membranes.