Embedding DNA in surfactant mesophases: the phase diagram of the ternary system dodecyltrimethylammonium-DNA/monoolein/water in comparison to the DNA-free analogue.

The self-assembly of a true ternary mixture comprising an electroneutral complex of DNA anions and surfactant cations (dodecyltrimethylammonium cations, DTA), water, and nonionic surfactant (monoolein, MO) has been studied. The phase diagrams of two systems, DTA-DNA/MO/water and, for comparison, dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB)/MO/water, were obtained by visual inspection, microscopic examination under polarized light, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and deuterium NMR ((2)H NMR) at 298 K and normal pressure. The isothermal phase diagram of the DTA-DNA/MO/water system contains four liquid crystalline (LC) phase regions (reversed hexagonal, Pn3m, Ia3d, lamellar).