Integrating gold nanostars into condensed DNA

X-irradiation has extensive applications in therapy and considerable attention has been devoted to the radiosensitizing properties of nanoparticles composed of high atomic number elements, particularly gold. Low energy electrons and/or heterogenous catalysis are widely suspected to be involved in radiosensitization, but there is uncertainty about their contributions. Because of their greater surface area to volume ratio relative to spherical particles per unit mass of gold, nanostars permit more low energy electrons to escape and possess an increased catalytic activity. Condensed DNA represents a highly useful model for mammalian chromatin, particularly with respect to the types and yields of DNA damage produced by ionizing radiation. Here we describe the incorporation of spherical gold nanoparticles and of gold nanostars into a condensed DNA model system. The resulting self-assembled micron-sized co-aggregates involve an intimate association between gold and DNA, maximizing the opportunity for the production of DNA damage. After increasing the ionic strength, the co-condensate becomes disaggregated and the DNA is available for subsequent assays. This model system provides a previously unavailable tool for examining the mechanisms of radiosensitization of DNA damage by gold nanoparticles with implications for possible applications in radiotherapy.