Biding of 12-s-12 dimeric surfactants to calf thymus DNA was investigated.
Hydrophobic interactions mainly control the binding Gibbs energy.
12-s-12/ctDNA complexation results in the charge inversion of the nucleic acid.
Formation of 12-s-12/ctDNA complexes causes the compaction of DNA.
12-s-12 surfactants with long spacers are the most efficient for DNA compaction.