Applications of Synchrotron-Based Spectroscopic Techniques in Studying Nucleic Acids and Nucleic-Acid-Based Nanomaterials

This chapter summarizes the applications of synchrotron-based spectroscopic techniques used to characterize nucleic acids. It reviews a few examples that illustrate some of the important principles governing the assembly of nucleic-acid-based materials systems. The chapter then focuses on the recent development and applications of small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) in structural studies of nucleic acids. It also reviews the recent progress in using SAXS for characterizing DNA-based and DNA-functionalized 3D nanomaterial assemblies. The chapter also summarizes the progress made in using synchrotron-based spectroscopic techniques for the characterization of nucleic acids and related nucleic-acids-based or -templated nanomaterials. It describes time-resolved synchrotron X-ray footprinting in studying the folding of nucleic acid structures. The chapter covers the application of synchrotron radiation in studying DNA-based functional materials, including DNA nanostructures, such as DNA 3D origami structures and DNA-functionalized nanoparticle 3D assemblies, as well as DNA-lipid interactions.