Research

Liquid Crystal ordering of DNA and RNA oligomers and monomers

Liquid Crystal phases of nucleic acids. The inclination to form LC phases is a conserved feature of nucleic acids at each length of DNA and RNA molecules: from monomers to oligomers to polymers. These partially ordered phases are the result of different stages of hierarchical self-assembly driven by the stacking and pairing interactions of nucleobases.

Liquid Crystal templated polymerization of nucleic acids

Liquid crystals positive feedback polymerization loop. The LC matrix acts as an ordered but still fluid environment that can enhance the chemical polymerization of the constituent DNA or RNA molecules.

Microfluidics