The comparison of the binding parameters of silver nanoparticles to DNA in gravity and microgravity conditions

Abstract

Amount of space exploration investigation has been done to understand the variations in biological structure and function of living organisms in microgravity condition. Nowadays, the investigation of the microgravity from a nanoscale viewpoint is encouraged. Silver nanoparticles have been involved in large-scale production. In this research, the effect of simulated microgravity on DNA structure was studied. Additionally, the silver nanoparticles binding with DNA molecules under Earth gravity and simulated microgravity conditions by various spectroscopic instruments were investigated. The results displayed that microgravity simulation has created DNA structure variation. The binding affinity of silver nanoparticles to DNA altered. Microgravity initiated an alternation in size and surface charge of DNA and modified DNA structure from B to C-form. Consequently, based on our observation, microgravity can strictly affect the silver nanoparticles-DNA binding interaction. Our observations can open fascinating research lines in biology and biophysics.

Keywords

• silver nanoparticles
• dna
• microgravity
• spectroscopy
• zeta potential
• dynamic light scattering (dls)