Observation of DNA-polymer condensate formation in real time at a molecular level

Dynamic real time assembly of toroidal and rod-like DNA condensates has bee n visualised using atomic force microscopy. Imaging has been conducted in a n aqueous environment allowing the visualisation of hydrated, pegylated-pol ymer DNA condensates undergoing dynamic structural movement and conformatio nal change. A major hurdle in the field of gene delivery is cellular transf ection and the subsequent transfer of condensed genetic material to the cel l nucleus. An increased understanding of the process of DNA condensation wi ll aid the development and optimisation of gene delivery vectors. (C) 2000 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.