The effect of polymer matrices on DNA recovery and integrity. (A) Recovery of DNA following incorporation into i) 360 kDa PVP, ii) 58 kDa PVP, iii) 13–23 kDa PVA and iv) 9–10 kDa PVA polymer gels at various N:P ratios (N:P 0–10) (mean + SEM, n = 3); (B) Gel electrophoresis of DNA (N:P 0) and RALA/DNA nanoparticles (N:P 6) following dissolution from polymer matrices following storage at room temperature for i) 0 or ii) 7 d. Lane 1: 1 kB DNA ladder, Lane 2: control DNA Lanes 3–6: DNA (N:P 0) recovered from 360 kDa PVP, 58 kDa PVP, 13–23 kDa PVA and 9–10 kDa PVA polymer gels incubated with Proteinase K, Lanes 7 – 10: RALA/DNA nanoparticles (N:P 6) recovered from 360 kDa PVP, 58 kDa PVP, 13–23 kDa PVA and 9–10 kDa PVA polymer gels incubated with Proteinase K, Lanes 11 – 14: RALA/DNA nanoparticles (N:P 6) recovered from 360 kDa PVP, 58 kDa PVP, 13–23 kDa PVA and 9–10 kDa PVA polymer gels incubated with TRIS buffer.