Novel glass slide preparation system for single DNA molecules analysis

Biotechnol Biotechnol Equip. 2014 Jan 2;28(1):112-117. doi: 10.1080/13102818.2014.901687.

Abstract

Here we propose an easy to build up and apply glass slide preparation system for single DNA molecules stretching. It is based on fast and simple coating of a solid glass with a cocktail of acrylic monomers that are easily polymerized via ultraviolet illumination. The acrylated slides are used to successfully stretch DNA molecules in a broader pH range compared to that of the commonly used amino-silanes. Moreover, the single DNA molecules that are stretched on the acrylated slides give a brighter and more photostable signal when visualized under a fluorescent microscope.

Keywords: DNA stretching; fluorescent microscopy; glass slide surface modification; single DNA molecules.

Grants and funding

The work was supported by the National Science Fund of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education, Youth and Science ДОО2 291/18.12.2008 [grant number MU01/0137] and by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research [grant number CRP/10/010].