DNA-immobilized porous polysulfone beads for organic compounds and heavy metal ion removal Original Research Article

Modifications ofporous polysulfone (PSO beads, which are prepared using a liquid-liquid phase transition method,are carried out by immobilizing double-stranded DNA onto its surface. The DNA-modified PSf beads are then used to remove DNA-intercalating compounds — ethidium bromide (EB) and acridine orange (AO), and metal ions from aqueous solutions. The immobilized DNA was found to be stable in water. The EB and AO can be effectively removed by the DNA-modified porous PSf beads. Additionally, the DNA-immobilized beads can selectively remove heavy metal ions, such as Ag+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+. These results shows that insolubilized DNA can be immobilized onto the PSf beads, and the DNA-immobilized PSf beads have the potential to be used in environmental applications.