DNA melting apparatus for characterizing the thermal dissociation of DNA and supramolecular complexes in solution

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A DNA melting apparatus is requested to provide means for monitoring the association and dissociation of noncovalent complexes in solution. One major focus of our research program involves synthetically modifying the structure of DNA to control the stability of DNA duplexes in a DNA replication cycle. To determine the efficacy of our synthetic modifications, we urgently require a method for monitoring the resulting stability. Temperature-variable measurements of DNA complexes are the most common and simple method for monitoring DNA stability, and the proposed instrumentation is designed specifically for this task. With this equipment, we will be able to develop a DNA replicating system that can be utilized as a one-step target amplification and detection strategy. Such an approach has the potential for greatly improving the sensitivity of detection devices, which currently require separate enzymatic amplification steps in their detection sequence. Developing a self-replicating system based on DNA will also shine light on the origins of life, and how molecules with recognition properties are able to organize into functional, replicating assemblies. Additionally, this equipment will be utilized to characterize noncovalent assemblies composed of synthetic supramolecular complexes based on hydrogen-bonding, pi-pi stacking and electrostatic elements. Using the DNA melting apparatus to monitor the dissociation and association of these complexes will allow us to determine what governs their molecular recognition behavior. These insights will ultimately be helpful in understanding more complex molecular recognition processes important in biological systems.