The effects of nanoparticles on polymerase chain reaction

The ability of synthesizing nanomaterials marked the beginning of the Nanotechnology era. Due to their extremely small sizes, nanomaterials present unique properties that are not seen in their bulk counterparts. However, understanding how nanomaterials behave in all kinds of biochemical reactions is the key to utilize them in potential applications. In this paper, the effects of gold, titanium dioxide and silver nanoparticles on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are reported. It is found that they all cause PCR inhibition. Surface interaction between nanoparticles and PCR components such as Taq polymerase should account for the inhibition. PCR inhibition caused by gold nanoparticles can be reversed by adding chemical reagents to block surface of the nanoparticles from interacting with Taq polymerase. Surface modification of nanoparticles has a large impact on PCR. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles modified with different functional groups show different PCR inhibition behavior. It is also found that mixing titanium dioxide nanoparticles with silver nanoparticles at a certain ratio can reduce PCR inhibition caused by both nanoparticles.