Principal Investigator

Pierre   Tran Centre for Computational Molecular Science, University of Queensland

Project Title

Interactions between DNA and Layered Double Hydroxides

Brief Description for General Publications

Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH) exhibit two important features: the basal spacing in d001 plane and the layer sequence. With this general formula [Mg1-xAlx(OH)2]x+[xX-1nH2O], LDH is also referred to as ‘anionic clays’ because it possesses permanent positive cationic charges. The current research project involves: (i) the study of existing structure models of DNA-LDH complexes and the comparison of simulated structures with existing experimental analysis data, (ii) the study of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters and their optimization to increase the transfection process by comparing the energy of stabilization for different nanohybrid systems and, finally (iii) the elaboration of forcefield parameters for a new generation of LDH structures such as dendrimers.