Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-7-2026
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
First Advisor
Randy Wadkins
Second Advisor
Vig Sundaresan
Third Advisor
Saumen Chakraborty
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Nanodiamonds (NDs) offer a promising platform for biomolecular applications due to their stability, biocompatibility, and three-dimensional structure. This study focused on developing a nanodiamond–DNA complex in which streptavidin-functionalized NDs would form a protective shell around biotinylated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), creating a core–shell system like an “M&M” candy with DNA at the center and a protective coating on the outside. DNA has many uses in nanotechnology, including DNA origami, nanomachines, and drug delivery systems, but its degradation limits its practical use, making protective strategies essential.
ND–DNA conjugates were prepared using biotin–streptavidin interactions and analyzed using gel electrophoresis. Initial separation on agarose gels yielded poor resolution and significant smearing, prompting the use of 10% polyacrylamide gels for improved separation. Samples were incubated under varying conditions and visualized using SYBR Gold DNA staining, and the effects of buffer composition were evaluated using both Tris–Glycine (pH 8.0) and MES–Histidine (pH 6.0) systems.
Polyacrylamide gels clearly distinguished between free DNA and ND–DNA complexes. The MES–Histidine buffer produced sharper band resolution and reduced background fluorescence compared to Tris–Glycine. Additionally, reducing incubation time from overnight to one hour did not significantly impact conjugate formation, indicating that binding reaches equilibrium quickly. Testing different DNA concentrations revealed that lower DNA inputs reduced unbound DNA and intermediate species, resulting in more distinct ND–DNA complexes.
Overall, this study establishes optimized conditions for the preparation and visualization of nanodiamond–DNA conjugates and demonstrates the importance of gel composition, buffer system, and DNA: ND ratio in achieving reproducible results. These findings support the development of nanodiamond-based core–shell systems for protecting nucleic acids and advancing applications in nanobiotechnology and biomedical applications.
Recommended Citation
Chapman, Mallory A., "Functionalized Nanodiamonds as Binding Platforms for Single-Stranded DNA" (2026). Honors Theses. 3434.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3434
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