Single-molecule reconstruction of oligonucleotide secondary structure by atomic force microscopy

Small. 2014 Aug 27;10(16):3257-61. doi: 10.1002/smll.201400265. Epub 2014 Apr 17.

Abstract

Based on soft-touch atomic force microscopy, a method is described to reconstruct the secondary structure of single extended biomolecules, without the need for crystallization. The method is tested by accurately reproducing the dimensions of the B-DNA crystal structure. Importantly, intramolecular variations in groove depth of the DNA double helix are resolved, which would be inaccessible for methods that rely on ensemble-averaging.

Keywords: DNA; atomic force microscopy; biomolecules; biophysics; oligonucleotides.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA / chemistry*
  • Fourier Analysis
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force / methods*
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation*

Substances

  • DNA