DNA condensation: Monte-Carlo simulations, light scattering, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract:
The DNA condensation is crucial for transport of DNA inside living cells, i.e. for non-viral gene therapy. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is a very sensitive tool for visualizing the DNA shape changes. However, the obtained data are still poorly understood and therefore lot of information is lost. We suggest employing Monte-Carlo simulations of the FCS output for the given system and comparing them with real measurements. Together with light scattering techniques, common fluorescence studies and time-resolved FCS, we would like to get deeper insight into the process itself and to explore new condensers, i.e. their condensing efficiency and their ability to protect DNA against hydrolysis within cytoplasm. During the last three years we intend to use the in vitro experience for in vivo measurements in order to follow the fate of DNA in cellular compartments of interest after being accepted by cells.