Raman spectral analysis of wet-spun films of CaDNA with varying amounts of CaCl$_{2}$ as a function of relative humidity

POSTER

Abstract

Raman spectroscopy has been used to probe the amount of DNA in the B conformation in wet-spun films of CaDNA which contain varying amounts of CaCl$_{2}$ as a function of relative humidity. This determination is made by measuring the intensity of the B-form marker band (at about 834 cm$^{-1})$ relative to a vibrational mode localized in the bases. Our experiments show that CaDNA is in the B conformation from 98{\%} relative humidity (rh) down to 75{\%} and is disordered at lower humidities. Interestingly, a maximum in the relative amount of B-DNA is observed near 80{\%} rh.

Authors

  • M. Schwenker Smith

    Un. of Toledo

  • Scott Lee

    Un. of Toledo

  • Kurt Wiesenfeld

    Miami University, Summa Health System, Akron, John Carroll University, Prof, Dr, BfS, Germany, Florida State University, Monmouth College, Ohio Wesleyan University, Kenyon College, University of Cincinnati, Brookhaven National Lab, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Dept. of Chermical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Cleveland State University, The Neurological Institute, Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Cleveland Clinic, Un. of Stockholm, The University of Akron, Case Western Reserve University, West Virginia University, Kalamazoo College and Editor, American Journal of Physics, Denison University, University of Southern Florida, Johannes-Gutenberg-Universitat, BfS (Germany), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Department of Physics, West Virginia University, Kansas State University, The Pennsylvania State University, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Purdue University, Saint Jospeh's College, University of Washington, Indiana University, University of Potsdam, Georgia Institute of Technology