Book excerpt: A broad overview of the interaction of DNA with surfactants and polymers Due to the potential benefits of biotechnology, interest in the interaction between DNA and surfactants and polymers has become increasingly significant. Now, DNA Interactions with Polymers and Surfactants provides an extensive, up-to-date overview of the subject, giving readers a basis for understanding the factors leading to complexation between DNA and different cosolutes, including metal ions, polyelectrolytes, spermine, spermidine, surfactants and lipids, and proteins. Topical coverage includes: Polyelectrolytes, physico-chemical aspects and biological significance Solution behavior of nucleic acids Single DNA molecules: compaction and decompaction Interaction of DNA with surfactants and cationic polymers Interactions of histones with DNA DNA-DNA interactions The hydration of DNA-amphiphile complexes DNA-surfactant/lipid complexes at liquid interfaces DNA and DNA-surfactant complexes at solid surfaces The role of correlation forces for DNA-cosolute interactions Simulations of polyions Cross-linked DNA gels and gel particles DNA as an amphiphilic polymer Lipid-DNA interactions Covering both theoretical and practical aspects of the subject, DNA Interactions with Polymers and Surfactants is an ideal resource for chemists and biochemists working in gene and DNA delivery research in industry and academia, as well as for cell biologists, chemical engineers, molecular biologists, and development biologists in the pharmaceutical industry.