Encapsulation of deoxyribonucleic acid molecules in silica and hybrid organic-silica gels

The encapsulation of small DNA molecules was attempted in pure silica and in hybrid polyvinyl alcohol-silica gels. The materials which were obtained were examined by nitrogen adsorption, and by Si-29 and P-31 NMR spectroscopy. The extraction of the DNA molecules from the gels was examined in a buffer aqueous solution as well as in an acidic medium. The results suggested that the DNA molecules remained trapped inside the gels due to a permanent bonding to the gel network. (C) 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers.